PENNSYLVANIA. Population, 4 282 891. Number of physicians, 7042. Number of inhabitants to each physician, 608. Number of physicians registered under the present law, 6992. DURING the session of 1880-81, an excellent bill was introduced-mainly through the instrumentality of Dr. T. B. REED, of Philadelphia.-into the Pennsylvania Legislature providing for the creation of a State Board of Health, and the regulation of the prac tice of medicine through such board. Unexpected hostility to the measure was developed, resulting in its defeat, and the following act was subsequently passed: AN ACT to Provide for the Registration of all Practitioners of Medicine and Surgery. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met. SECTION 1, etc. That the prothonotary of each county shall purchase a book of suitable size, to be known as the medical register of the county (if such book has not been purchased already), and shall set apart one full page for the registration of each practitioner; and when any practitioner shall depart this life, or remove from the county, he shall make a note of the same at the bottom of the page, and shall perform such other duties as are required by this act. § 2. Every person who shall practice medicine or surgery, or any of the branches of medicine or surgery for gain, or shall receive or accept for his or her services as a practitioner of medicine or surgery, any fee or reward, directly or indirectly, shall be a graduate of a legally chartered medical college or university having authority to confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine (except as provided for in section five of this act); and such persons shall present to the prothonotary of the county in which he or she resides or sojourns, his or her medical diploma, as well as a true copy of the same, including any endorsements thereon, and shall make affidavit before him that the diploma and endorsements are genuine; thereupon, the prothonotary shall enter the following in the register, to-wit: the name in full of the practitioner, his or her nativity, his or her place of residence, the name of the college or university that has conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the year when such degree was conferred, and in like manner any other degree or degrees that the practitioner may desire to place on record: to all of which the practitioner shall make affidavit before the prothonotary, and the prothonotary shall place the copy of such diploma, including the endorsements, on file in his office for inspection by the public. § 3. Any person whose medical diploma has been destroyed or lost, shall present to the prothonotary of the county in which he or she resides or sojourns a duly certified copy of his or her diploma; but if the same is not obtainable, a statement of this fact, together with the names of the professors whose lectures he or she attended. and the branches of study upon which each professor lectured, to all of which the practitioner shall make affidavit before the prothonotary, after which the practitioner shall be allowed to register in manner and form as indicated in section two of this act, and the prothonotary shall place such certifled statement on file in his office for inspection by the public. §4. Any person who may desire to commence the practice of medicine or surgery in this State after the passage of this act, having a medical diploma issued or purporting to have been issued by any college, university, society or association in another State or foreign country, shall lay the same before the faculty of one of the medical colleges or universities of this Commonwealth for inspection; and the faculty, being satisfied as to the qualifications of the applicant and the genuineness of the diploma, shall direct the dean of the faculty to endorse the same, after which such person shall be allowed to register as required by section two of this act. § 5. Any person who has been in the continuous practice of medicine or surgery in this Commonwealth since one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one without the degree of Doctor of Medicine, shall be allowed to continue such practice, but such person shall nevertheless appear before the prothonotary of the county in which he or she resides, and shall present to him a written statement of these facts, to which the practitioner shall make affidavit. Thereupon, the prothonotary shall enter the following in the register, to-wit: the name in full of the practitioner, his or her place of nativity, his or her place of residence, the time of continuous practice in this Commonwealth, and the place or places where such practice was pursued, to all of which the practitioner shall likewise make affidavit, and the prothonotary shall place the certifled statement on file in his office for inspection by the public. § 6. Every practitioner who shall be admitted to registration shall pay to the prothonotary one dollar, which shall be compensation in full for registration, and the prothonotary shall give a receipt for the same. § 7. Any practitioner who shall present to the faculty of an institution an endorsement, or to a prothonotary, a diploma which has been obtained fraudulently, or is in whole or in part a forgery, or shall make affidavit to any false statement to be filed or registered. or shall practice medicine or surgery without conforming to the requirements of this act, or shall otherwise violate or neglect to comply with any of the provisions of this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished for each and every offense by a fine of one hundred dollars, one-half to be paid to the prosecutor, and the other half to be paid to the county, or be imprisoned in the county jail of the proper county, for a term not exceeding one year, or both, or either, at the discretion of the court. $8. Nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent any physician or surgeon legally qualifled to practice medicine or surgery in the State in which he or she resides, from practicing in this Commonwealth; but any person or persons opening an office, or appointing any place where he or she may meet patients or receive calls, shall be deemed a sojourner, and shall conform to the requirements of this act. $9. This act shall take effect on the first day of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one. § 10. That all acts or parts of acts heretofore passed, and inconsistent with this act, be and the same are hereby repealed, As far as I know, the law is respected. Judge Woodward, of Wilkesbarre, has recently said. "that it is in all respects a valid and constitutional statute." The law is weak in the respect that it does not provide for a board of medical examiners, who might also supervise registration. We all agree that a State board of health is a necessity, and that the duties of the former might be discharged by the latter. Efforts have been made to secure the passage of a bill creating a board of health, but these efforts have thus far failed. -We are not without hope that such an act will be passed at the next meeting of our legislature. It will be necessary, however, to keep the subject before the profession and the people in order to be successful. In a recent report read by myself before our State medical society, it was suggested that four committees be appointed, consisting each of two principals and two alternates, to prepare and read brief papers on the following subjects, viz: Medical Education, Medical Legislation, Public Hygiene, and Rational Medicine-the same to be published in as many daily and weekly newspapers as will publish them. We must instruct the people before our legislators will vote for efficient laws on these subjects. -The condition of the profession in Pennsylvania, as compared with what it was ten years ago, or even five years ago, is much more promising, There is a disposition on the part of many good men, in independent positions, to work for higher attainments. The subject of preliminary education has been kept before our State society during this time. It has been discussed with a good deal of feeling, and with success, notwithstanding the fact that representative men of our leading medical schools have spoken against the movement. -Opposition to higher preliminary attainments, coming from those who are professors in our medical colleges, and an unwillingness to require an examination before matriculation, have forced many of the best men in the profession to the conclusion that the degree of Doctor of Medicine can no longer be taken as positive evidence of fitness to practice. A State board of health, with full authority to conduct examinations and to grant permits to practice, has become a necessity in Pennsylvania. -The tendency on the part of teachers of medical science in our country is to make all the improvements at the end of the line where the most money is. The matriculate's money is exhausted when he obtains his degree, and he must go to practice. To the few who have money left, a post graduate course is offered, and finally there is a polyclinic course offered. Pennsylvania offers all this to the profession, and nothing more. At the last (1883) meeting of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, considerable time was spent in the discussion of State regulation of the practice of medicine, and the failure of societies and present laws to accomplish this object. Dr. E. A. WOOD, of Pittsburg, said. "the present registration act is a failure." Dr. FINLEY, of Altoona, said, "ever since the establishment of the American Medical Association and this society in 1848, not a single year had passed without pleas to the medical colleges for assistance in establishing a preliminary examination for students, but without the first step of encouragement thus far." A scheme for the examination of students about to engage in the practice of medicine was adopted at the last meeting of the society, which, if carried out, is calculated to do much good. DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Organized in 1765. The first medical diploma issued in America was granted to Dr. JOHN ARCHER by this college (then known as the College of Medicine in Philadelphia) in 1768. Classes have been graduated each subsequent year. The faculty embraces eleven professors, twenty-seven demonstrators and assistant demonstrators, and four lecturers. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: A preliminary course of three weeks' duration, a regular course of twenty-six weeks' duration, and a spring course of seven weeks' duration, annually. Three post-graduate courses, each of eight weeks' duration, are held during the year-Course graded, extending over three years. Four years' graded course recommended, but not required. Examinations at the end of each year.-Lectures embrace anatomy, obstetrics, diseases of women and children, theory and practice of medicine. surgery, clinical surgery, clinical gynecology, pathology, materia medica, therapeutics, pharmacy, chemistry, physiology, histology, ophthalmology, otology, dermatology, mental and nervous diseases, laryngology, physical diagnosis, orthopedic surgery, and venereal diseases. REQUIREMENTS: For admission: (a) collegiate degree; (b) certificate of having passed matriculation examination of a recognized college; (c) certificate, covering the required subjects, from a recognized normal or high school of a duly organized county medical society having instituted a preliminary examination; (d) preliminary examination embracing, first, to write a brief essay, not exceeding a page of foolscap, which will serve as a test of his qualifications in orthography and grammar; second, to undergo an examination in the elementary principles of physics, on the subjects considered in Part I of Fownes Chemistry.-For graduation: (1) twenty-one years of age; (2) good moral character; (3) three years' study; (4) three full courses of lectures; (5) pass required examinations: (6) thesis. Students who have attended one course in a regular dental school will 6 be admitted as students of the second course in the University of Pennsylvania, after having passed a satisfactory examination in general chemistry and materia medica and pharmacy. Students who have attended two courses in a regular medical school will be admitted as students of the third course in this institution, after having satisfactorily passed an examination in general and medical chemistry, materia medica and pharmacy, anatomy and physiology. Graduates of other regular medical schools in good standing will be admitted as students of the third class without examination. Graduates of colleges of pharmacy and dental colleges in good standing are admitted to the second course without an examination. FEES: Matriculation, $5; graduation, $50; lectures, including laboratory and dissection, $150. STUDENTS: Number of matriculates and of graduates at each session reported, and percentages of graduates to matriculates Average percentage of graduates to matriculates during the past six years, thirty. Number of Illinois students attending the last session, 6. Number of graduates in Illinois, 73. REMARKS: During the first and second years, much of the student's time is occupied with practical work in the various laboratories of chemistry, pharmacy, osteology, histology and pathological histology, and in dissection; but throughout the second and third sessions he is required to attend the general medical and surgical clinics at the University and Philadelphia hospitals, while special clinical facilities are provided for the third year. In this year, each student receives bedside instruction in clinical medicine and surgery, in physical diagnosis, and in gynecology. Opportunities are afforded for the practical study of diseases of the eye, ear, throat and skin, and for acquiring proficiency in the use of the various instruments employed in their treatment. For this purpose the third year class is divided into sections of convenient size, each of which receives direct personal instruction in the various practical subjects above mentioned. No honorary degrees conferred. JEFFERSON MEDICAL College. Philadelphia, Pa. Organized in 1826 as the Medical Department of Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pa. The first class was graduated in 1827. Classes have been graduated each subsequent year. -The faculty embraces eight professors, two honorary professors and eight demonstrators. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: A preliminary course of three weeks' duration, a regular course of twenty-four weeks' duration, and a spring course of eight weeks' duration. Attendance upon the spring course of lectures continues to be large, and the faculty recommend all who have it in their power, to use the facilities thus offered. Daily clinics at hospitals and dispensary.-Lectures embrace obstetrics and diseases of women and children, practice of medicine, clinical medicine, general descriptive and surgical anatomy, medical chemistry, toxicology. materia medica, general therapeutics, institutes of medicine, medical jurisprudence, principles of surgery, clinical surgery, practice of surgery, histology, pathology, pharmacy, ophthalmology, otology, gynecology, laryngology, electro-therapeutics, microscopy, dermatology, genito-urinary diseases, physical diagnosis, practical and laboratory instruction in obstetrics, medicine, chemistry, materia medica and therapeutics, physiology, histology, operative and minor surgery, bandaging, pathological anatomy and anatomy. REQUIREMENTS: For admission, none.-For graduation: (1) twenty-one years of age; (2) good moral character; (3) two full courses of lectures; (4) three years' study; (5) thesis. Students of dental colleges, where a five months' winter session is held, and where full courses are given on anatomy, materia medica, physiology and chemistry, may become candidates, after attendance on two courses at such colleges, and one full course at the Jefferson Medical College, with another on surgery, practice of medicine, and obstetrics. Students of colleges of pharmacy, where full courses are given on materia medica and chemistry, may become candidates, after attendance on two courses at such colleges and one full course at the Jefferson Medical College, with another on anatomy, surgery, practice of medicine, physiology and obstetrics. FEES: Matriculation, (paid but once) $5; lectures, $140; demonstrator, (of anatomy) $10: all other practical courses free; graduation, $30. STUDENTS: Number of matriculates and of graduates at each session reported, and percentages of graduates to matriculates Average percentage of graduates to matriculates for six years, thirty-five. Number of Illinois students attending the last session, 14. Number of graduates in Illinois, 188. REMARKS: Post-graduate instruction is given by five courses of seven weeks each. HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE (Homeopathic.) Organized in 1848.-The first class was graduated in 1849. Classes have been graduated each subsequent year.-The faculty embraces ten professors, three lecturers and five demonstrators. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: One regular course of lectures of twenty-one weeks' duration and a spring course annually. Three years' graded course recommended, but not required. Clinics at hospital and dispensary, "Recitations, quizzes, demonstrations, experiments and other practical exercises will be called into requisition as aids in the work of imparting instruction."-Lectures embrace anatomy, physics, chemistry, toxicology, obstetrics, physiology, sanitary science, pathology, practice of medicine, operative surgery, clinical surgery, principles of surgery, clinical medicine, surgical anatomy, physical diagnosis, microscopy, histology, ophthalmology, otology, botany, pharmacy, insanity, medical jurisprudence. REQUIREMENTS: For admission: certificate signed by preceptor as evidence of qualifications for the study of medicine.-For graduation: (1) twenty-one years of age; (2) good moral character: (3) three years' study; (4) two full courses of lectures; (5) at least one course of practical anatomy and surgery: (6) thesis. A student who has attended one or more courses in a medical college in which homeopathy is not taught, must attend one full session of instruction in this institution, and in addition to the general average required for graduation, he must obtain a two-thirds average in the following departments: Homeopathic institutes and materia medica, practice of medicine and clinical medicine. FEES: Matriculation, $5; lectures, $100; practical surgery, $10; demonstrator, $10; practical obstetrics and chemistry (optional), $10 each; graduation, $30. STUDENTS: Number of matriculates and of graduates at each session reported, and percentages of graduates to matriculates Average percent. of graduates to matriculates during the past six years, thirty-seven. Number of Illinois students attending the last session, 3. Number of graduates in Illinois, 29. REMARKS: Sixty percent. of the graduates (session of 1882-83) had pursued the three years' graded course. WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Organized in 1850.-The first class was graduated in 1851. Classes have been graduated each subsequent year.-The faculty embraces ten professors, five lecturers, three demonstrators, and three instructors. COURSE OF INSTRUCTION: A regular course of twenty-one weeks' duration, and a spring course of ten weeks' duration, annually. Three and four years' graded course recommended but not required. Weekly examinations given by regularly appointed instructors throughout the winter course.-Lectures embrace chemistry and toxicology, anatomy, clinical anatomy, physiology, hygiene, medical jurisprudence, materia medica and general therapeutics, principles and practice of medicine, principles and practice of surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, diseases of children, laryngology, rhinoscopy, histology, microscopy, pathology, pharmacy, dental physiology and pathology, nervous diseases. Practical work in laboratories noted in the requirements for graduation. REQUIREMENTS: For admission, none.-For graduation: (1) twenty-one years of age; (2) three years' study; (3) two full courses of lectures; (4) two courses of practical anatomy, having made at least one creditable dissection of each of the usual divisions of the cadaver; (5) one course in the chemical and one in the pharmaceutical laboratory; (6) one course of lectures on pathology, and (7) one on histology, including the practical work of the spring in the use of the microscope; (8) satisfactory evidence of having attended at least two courses of clinical lectures in the department of general medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology; (9) thesis; (10) mental and moral fitness for the profession. FEES: Matriculation (paid but once,) $5; lectures, $105; demonstrator, $10: graduation, $30; clinical laboratory, $10; pathological laboratory, $10; pharmaceutical laboratory, $3; physiological laboratory, $5. STUDENTS: Number of matriculates and of graduates at each session reported, and percentages of graduates to matriculates Average percent. of graduates to matriculates during the past six years, fifteen. ECLECTIC MEDICAL COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Organized in 18-. Extinct. See List of Institutions not recognized by the ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. After being in operation a few years, this institution passed into the hands of Buchanan and his colleagues, and became fraudulent. Number of graduates in Illinois, 18. PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. See List of Institutions not recognized by the ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. |