A PUBLIC MEDICAL LIBRARY FOR
CALCUTTA.
Among the many advantages which Medical practitioners in Great Britain possess over their colleagues in this country,
perhaps the greatest is the ease with which, in doubtful cases, they can obtain counsel and assistance, both from members of their own profession and from books. The country Surgeon in the remotest locality at home is actually better off in this respect than many Medical Officers in India in charge of large Civil Stations, or of Regiments quartered by themselves in Cantonments. There are few practitioners at home who
are
not within at least 20 miles of some
cases of difficulty, and most they living near cities can avail themselves of good Medical Libraries, attached to local hospitals, or Schools of Medicine, In India the Civil or in the possession of private practitioners. be a Medical Officer attached to unless there happen Surgeon, to troops quartered at the station, is left almost wholly without counsel or assistance in times of difficulty, and has to provide himself with all the books which he may require. In Calcutta better off, inasmuch as the Medical Profession here is a we are large body, and there can never be any difficulty in obtaining assistance and advice when required. But as regards facilities for consulting Medical works, we are nearly as badly off as the officers in remote up-country stations. The largest city in the east, whose educated Physicians and Surgeons may be counted by scores, is without anything deserving the name of a public Medical Library, although it boasts of four hospitals and one of the largest Medical Schools in the world. Medical books are to be had, it is true, by those who can afford to purchase them; and it is but justice to the booksellers of Calcutta to state they shew commendable activity in procuring the latest Medical works and editions from Europe. But the great majority of practitioners cannot afford to accumulate private libraries on a large scale, and there is no public library to which a practitioner can resort, with a view to " reading up" the literature of a particular subject. We believe that the Metcalfe Library contains some Medical works, but a library for the general public, as it is, cannot be expected to contain a large
colleague
whom
can
consult in
of tliose
collection of books
might
be
on so
exclusive
a
subject
as
medicine.
It
of the Medical
College, library were it thrown open to the profession at large, would supply the deficiency, but a visit to its dingy precincts, (dingier than the Metcalfe Hall itself) would soon convince the pilgrim in supposed
that the
search of recent Medical Literature that he must look elsewhere
THE IKDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
184 for what lie wants.
surprising that it should be so. library, and scantily enCollege Library has been hardly, }f at all, Nor is it
Founded principally
as
dowed, the Medical kept up to the level large percentage of
of current Medical
a
students'
the volumes
on
Literature; while
a
consists of
its shelves
Physiology, Fownes's Chemistry, books, the first or second editions of which were, ordered by dozens or scores for the use of the students, and have long since been superseded by later ones, or by new works on the same subjects. But while the College Library thus contains a great deal of what, however useful it was in its day, we must now, at the risk of being thought irreverent, call rubbish, it also possesses the nucleus of On the formation of the College Library, a valuable library. that of the extinct Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta was made over to the College Authorities, to be held by them (as part of their own library, but) in trust for the Society, in case the latter should be resuscitated, of w hich, we need hardly say, there is now no chance. This collection, though of course antiquated, contains a great number of valuable works, which it would be almost impossible to collect from other sources. Besides these the College Library, though by no means as well obsolete editions of Kirke's
and other text
furnished with modern Medical works as such
an
institution
be, still contains enough of them to form a nucleus for a larger collection. Were a sufficient sum (which need not be a large one) sanctioned by Government for the library, the latter could be brought up to the requirements of the present day, and a small monthly or yearly grant, carefully expended, would enable it to keep pace with the progress of Medical Literature. This monthly grant might be increased, or at least the salaries of the library establishment defrayed, by allowing practitioners in Calcutta, not attached to the College, to make use of the library on their paying a small monthly subscription, say two or three Rupees. We are certain that many practitioners would be but too glad to avail themselves of such a privilege. But before any reform worthy of the name could be introshould
duced into the Medical
College Library,
for it.
fresh accommodation
The two narrow,
low,
and
gloomy contained, library ai-e too small for it, even in its present undeveloped condition; and to attempt to cram more books into them, or, still more, to expect practitioners to resort to them as a comfortable place for study, is absurd. We fear that the long-promised new buildings for the entire Medical College are not destined to be erected, at least in our day; but wo would urge upon Government^tlie necessity of erecting a detached building, in which the College Library (Government pnperty') can be safely and decently kept, and where the students can read comfortably. A separate reading-room for the Professors and Teachers would be
should be rooms
provided
of the old
jail,
in which the
is now
necessary part of such a building ; and were this comfortably furnished, and supplied with all the Medical periodicals, and thrown open, along with the use of the library, to all qualified practitioners who chose to subscribe, the boon to the profession, both individually and collectively, would be very great. Not a
master the literature of any special only would men be able to subject, without the expense and delay of purchasing all the works bearing upon it, bat a common place of meeting for the profession would be established, practitioners would be thrown " more together than they are now, and an increased esprit de
corps'' might
would result. be elected
[July 1, A certain number
the whole
1867.
of the subscribers
form, with the Proby body fessors of the College, a Library Committee, who should bo responsible for the expenditure of the funds. The scheme may appear Utopian, but no one can visit the Medical College without seeing how ill-adapted for its purpose are the quarters which it has occupied since its foundation. New buildings, including a new library, will sooner or later be required, and a grant to bring up the library to the standard of the present day is also absolutely necessary. These being granted, the proposed scheme, so far from throwing any further burden on Government, proposes to lighten the already existing expenses by allowing the profession at large in Calcutta to take their share of them, in return for permission to use the Library. We fear, however, that not only is there no immediate prospect of new buildings being erected for the Medical College, but that Government is about
to alienate
to
one
of the few available
neighbourhood. We have been informed, on good authority, that it is proposed to sell a piece of ground on the north of Colootollah Street, west of the new University Hall. This site was assigned to the Anatomical Department, in the plan of the proposed new College which was under consideration As it is now to be sold, we presume that all some years ago. idea of erecting a new set of buildings, worthy of the University and of the Metropolis of India, has been abandoned. We hope that the Authorities will reconsider their proposal, and not, for the sake of immediate remuneration, alienate ground which is even now wanted, and in a few years will be yet more urgently required, for educational purposes. Not only the Library, but also the Museum of the Medical College, and still more the Anatomical Department, are badly accommodated in their present quarters, and we are told that the new University Hall is hardly large enough for even the present wants of the University. If the site in question is now sold, it will probably have to be re-purchased some years hence at a heavy loss. sites in the
CALCUTTA.
Among the many advantages which Medical practitioners in Great Britain possess over their colleagues in this country,
perhaps the greatest is the ease with which, in doubtful cases, they can obtain counsel and assistance, both from members of their own profession and from books. The country Surgeon in the remotest locality at home is actually better off in this respect than many Medical Officers in India in charge of large Civil Stations, or of Regiments quartered by themselves in Cantonments. There are few practitioners at home who
are
not within at least 20 miles of some
cases of difficulty, and most they living near cities can avail themselves of good Medical Libraries, attached to local hospitals, or Schools of Medicine, In India the Civil or in the possession of private practitioners. be a Medical Officer attached to unless there happen Surgeon, to troops quartered at the station, is left almost wholly without counsel or assistance in times of difficulty, and has to provide himself with all the books which he may require. In Calcutta better off, inasmuch as the Medical Profession here is a we are large body, and there can never be any difficulty in obtaining assistance and advice when required. But as regards facilities for consulting Medical works, we are nearly as badly off as the officers in remote up-country stations. The largest city in the east, whose educated Physicians and Surgeons may be counted by scores, is without anything deserving the name of a public Medical Library, although it boasts of four hospitals and one of the largest Medical Schools in the world. Medical books are to be had, it is true, by those who can afford to purchase them; and it is but justice to the booksellers of Calcutta to state they shew commendable activity in procuring the latest Medical works and editions from Europe. But the great majority of practitioners cannot afford to accumulate private libraries on a large scale, and there is no public library to which a practitioner can resort, with a view to " reading up" the literature of a particular subject. We believe that the Metcalfe Library contains some Medical works, but a library for the general public, as it is, cannot be expected to contain a large
colleague
whom
can
consult in
of tliose
collection of books
might
be
on so
exclusive
a
subject
as
medicine.
It
of the Medical
College, library were it thrown open to the profession at large, would supply the deficiency, but a visit to its dingy precincts, (dingier than the Metcalfe Hall itself) would soon convince the pilgrim in supposed
that the
search of recent Medical Literature that he must look elsewhere
THE IKDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
184 for what lie wants.
surprising that it should be so. library, and scantily enCollege Library has been hardly, }f at all, Nor is it
Founded principally
as
dowed, the Medical kept up to the level large percentage of
of current Medical
a
students'
the volumes
on
Literature; while
a
consists of
its shelves
Physiology, Fownes's Chemistry, books, the first or second editions of which were, ordered by dozens or scores for the use of the students, and have long since been superseded by later ones, or by new works on the same subjects. But while the College Library thus contains a great deal of what, however useful it was in its day, we must now, at the risk of being thought irreverent, call rubbish, it also possesses the nucleus of On the formation of the College Library, a valuable library. that of the extinct Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta was made over to the College Authorities, to be held by them (as part of their own library, but) in trust for the Society, in case the latter should be resuscitated, of w hich, we need hardly say, there is now no chance. This collection, though of course antiquated, contains a great number of valuable works, which it would be almost impossible to collect from other sources. Besides these the College Library, though by no means as well obsolete editions of Kirke's
and other text
furnished with modern Medical works as such
an
institution
be, still contains enough of them to form a nucleus for a larger collection. Were a sufficient sum (which need not be a large one) sanctioned by Government for the library, the latter could be brought up to the requirements of the present day, and a small monthly or yearly grant, carefully expended, would enable it to keep pace with the progress of Medical Literature. This monthly grant might be increased, or at least the salaries of the library establishment defrayed, by allowing practitioners in Calcutta, not attached to the College, to make use of the library on their paying a small monthly subscription, say two or three Rupees. We are certain that many practitioners would be but too glad to avail themselves of such a privilege. But before any reform worthy of the name could be introshould
duced into the Medical
College Library,
for it.
fresh accommodation
The two narrow,
low,
and
gloomy contained, library ai-e too small for it, even in its present undeveloped condition; and to attempt to cram more books into them, or, still more, to expect practitioners to resort to them as a comfortable place for study, is absurd. We fear that the long-promised new buildings for the entire Medical College are not destined to be erected, at least in our day; but wo would urge upon Government^tlie necessity of erecting a detached building, in which the College Library (Government pnperty') can be safely and decently kept, and where the students can read comfortably. A separate reading-room for the Professors and Teachers would be
should be rooms
provided
of the old
jail,
in which the
is now
necessary part of such a building ; and were this comfortably furnished, and supplied with all the Medical periodicals, and thrown open, along with the use of the library, to all qualified practitioners who chose to subscribe, the boon to the profession, both individually and collectively, would be very great. Not a
master the literature of any special only would men be able to subject, without the expense and delay of purchasing all the works bearing upon it, bat a common place of meeting for the profession would be established, practitioners would be thrown " more together than they are now, and an increased esprit de
corps'' might
would result. be elected
[July 1, A certain number
the whole
1867.
of the subscribers
form, with the Proby body fessors of the College, a Library Committee, who should bo responsible for the expenditure of the funds. The scheme may appear Utopian, but no one can visit the Medical College without seeing how ill-adapted for its purpose are the quarters which it has occupied since its foundation. New buildings, including a new library, will sooner or later be required, and a grant to bring up the library to the standard of the present day is also absolutely necessary. These being granted, the proposed scheme, so far from throwing any further burden on Government, proposes to lighten the already existing expenses by allowing the profession at large in Calcutta to take their share of them, in return for permission to use the Library. We fear, however, that not only is there no immediate prospect of new buildings being erected for the Medical College, but that Government is about
to alienate
to
one
of the few available
neighbourhood. We have been informed, on good authority, that it is proposed to sell a piece of ground on the north of Colootollah Street, west of the new University Hall. This site was assigned to the Anatomical Department, in the plan of the proposed new College which was under consideration As it is now to be sold, we presume that all some years ago. idea of erecting a new set of buildings, worthy of the University and of the Metropolis of India, has been abandoned. We hope that the Authorities will reconsider their proposal, and not, for the sake of immediate remuneration, alienate ground which is even now wanted, and in a few years will be yet more urgently required, for educational purposes. Not only the Library, but also the Museum of the Medical College, and still more the Anatomical Department, are badly accommodated in their present quarters, and we are told that the new University Hall is hardly large enough for even the present wants of the University. If the site in question is now sold, it will probably have to be re-purchased some years hence at a heavy loss. sites in the
