medicine in this
country, something
must be done to reach
the poor or easy-circumstanced villager, who is quite ignorant of wliat is going on in the far-off towns. He is still duped
by the charmer's munter, and places his life in the hands of the ignorant and presumptuous quack. However large the number of Sub-Assistant Surgeons may be, they are of no use to the people of small villages. Then how are these people to be reached ? Many might say that the numerous native doctors that are being trained up in Calcutta, Agra, and Nagpore, would
serve
this purpose.
But
the
manner
in which
educated, and the way in which they are treated, show that they are meant only to become hospital assistants,* and act as dressers and compounders in civil and military hospitals. Is the education they receive worth anything ? Are they taught the dignity of the profession ? Left to the only resource of a course of oral lectures, which is as foreign to them as the system of medicine they are taught, they receive a shallow education, to prove in after-life that" a little learning is a dangerous thing." As hospital assistants, of course, they are a useful class of they
are
Government servants;
but who would have the heart to send
independent practitioners to deal with human life ? Yet these people settle themselves down, and practice the profession, many of them having a hirge practice ; and the Government send them out in chargc of dispensaries. I would be the last person to disapprove of this, as they are the only set of doctors who can reach the general mass of the people; but I think the standard of their education should be improved before they are allowed to take such onerous tasks : and how them out
as
is that to be done when there are no books for them to read ? Medicine is a study in which science must go hand in hand
practice and experience ; and without study of books or experience of eminent men, personal experience, or the It is now several meagre directions of teachers, is nothing
with the
years since that vernacular medical education has been introduced into this country, but, with the exception of four or live incomplete pamphlets, there is nothing to help them in
studying
the vast science.
multiplying words, I would here note my proposal profession. There is not an institution in Europe that has not got a counterpart here, and why should not some institution be imported by which this poor and neglected class of people can be helped out of their difficulty ? I think if a society be formed on the model of the Sydenham Society, for inviting and publishing original works, as well as translations, the object would, to a great extent, be gained. Nothing is done so well by individuals as by a corporation. In these days corporate bodies are working wonders in the world, and division of labour is the order of the day. Besides, the Sub-Assistant Surgeons, Instead of
to the
AN INDIAN PUBLISHING MEDICAL SOCIETY. By KEiSTODnuN Sub-Assistant
Surgeon,
in
Charitable
Ghose,
charge of the Bhaugulpore Dispensary.
subject of vernacular medical education in this country is importance. Undoubtedly, the Medical College has done a great deal of good to our country?far greater, perhaps, than any other institution. The numerous graduates of the college, being scattered throughout the country, served to establish in the minds of the people an appreciation of the benevolence of the British Government. Wherever they went, they carried with them the germs of western enlightenment. But the question may now be asked, Can all that is desired be effected by that class of medical men call Sub-Assistant Surgeons ? Tliey have been located in large and populous cities, but have they reached the poor and middle classes of people inhabiting the villages? To spread the European system of The
of vast
who must take the lead in the matter, are in too straitened circumstances to do anything individually. A poor Sub-Assist-
Surgeon writes a book in Bengalee, and when it goes to the press a heavy estimate of costs is given to him ; he feels his pocket and gets frightened; after some consideration, he borrows money with the hope of repaying from the proceeds of ant
As a matter of course, to give facilities to the poor students and native doctors in buying his book, he makes the price low, and finds the sale of the book has not half covered his costs. Is it not discouraging enough to make
the sale of his book.
him
give up the idea of a second attempt ? I think now it is time for somebody to come forward and inaugurate a scheme like this. Placed as I am in a station far *
position of hospital assistants will be much improved by the G. G. 0. No. 8S0.
The
recent
CASES EROM PRACTICE.
?November 2, 1S68.]
from the metropolis, I cannot do anything, else I would not have asked any one to take up the task, but I would devote such a body. my head and heart in co operating with The corporation may be formed and managed in the following way:?1. The association should be formed of all medical men, whether in the tions should be raised
metropolis by agents a
fund.
one
book
country, and formed into should be asked to write the association.
4.
Four
five
or
or
out
of it.
2. Contribu-
parts of the 3. Sub-Assistant Surgeons each, and make it over to of the books should be pubin different,
lished every year from the fund. 5. The fund should be aided by permanent subscriptions. 6. The subscribers should be supplied with a copy of all the publications. 7. The books' should be sold at
a
moderate
to subscribe for
a
few
price. copies.
Government should be asked
8.
In this way a great deal can be done to render the medical science into the vernaculars of the country. If no individual forward to unite the medical
comes
profession
in this
good
and great work, it is well worth the attention of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association. If the association take this work in hand, and become really resolved to do some tangible and lasting good, then I think many will join and take
aspecial
interest in the institution.
It has been some
all
proposed
of late
by
education to the liakeems and
over
many to try and impart that are practising
quacks
India, and thereby introduce the practice of European
medicine in India; but I fear that is a round-about way, and does not seem likely to prove an effectual means. Nothing be
direct and
of
producing a permanent good doctors, and some improvement in their education. They would in time replace these quacks, and would help the profession with their large experience. From these there can be no fear of imposition. A quack or a liakeem may be taught to treat diseases more skilfully, and more in accordance with modern science, but where would he get that professional dignity which is so essential to a medical practitioner ? This is my appeal to the profession and the numerous readers of the journal. My sense of duty has actuated me to make this appeal, and I hope that no one will pass it off without giving a practical response. can as
the
so
multiplying
Bhaugttlpoee,
sure
of native
Vjth June, 1868.
25o
country, something
must be done to reach
the poor or easy-circumstanced villager, who is quite ignorant of wliat is going on in the far-off towns. He is still duped
by the charmer's munter, and places his life in the hands of the ignorant and presumptuous quack. However large the number of Sub-Assistant Surgeons may be, they are of no use to the people of small villages. Then how are these people to be reached ? Many might say that the numerous native doctors that are being trained up in Calcutta, Agra, and Nagpore, would
serve
this purpose.
But
the
manner
in which
educated, and the way in which they are treated, show that they are meant only to become hospital assistants,* and act as dressers and compounders in civil and military hospitals. Is the education they receive worth anything ? Are they taught the dignity of the profession ? Left to the only resource of a course of oral lectures, which is as foreign to them as the system of medicine they are taught, they receive a shallow education, to prove in after-life that" a little learning is a dangerous thing." As hospital assistants, of course, they are a useful class of they
are
Government servants;
but who would have the heart to send
independent practitioners to deal with human life ? Yet these people settle themselves down, and practice the profession, many of them having a hirge practice ; and the Government send them out in chargc of dispensaries. I would be the last person to disapprove of this, as they are the only set of doctors who can reach the general mass of the people; but I think the standard of their education should be improved before they are allowed to take such onerous tasks : and how them out
as
is that to be done when there are no books for them to read ? Medicine is a study in which science must go hand in hand
practice and experience ; and without study of books or experience of eminent men, personal experience, or the It is now several meagre directions of teachers, is nothing
with the
years since that vernacular medical education has been introduced into this country, but, with the exception of four or live incomplete pamphlets, there is nothing to help them in
studying
the vast science.
multiplying words, I would here note my proposal profession. There is not an institution in Europe that has not got a counterpart here, and why should not some institution be imported by which this poor and neglected class of people can be helped out of their difficulty ? I think if a society be formed on the model of the Sydenham Society, for inviting and publishing original works, as well as translations, the object would, to a great extent, be gained. Nothing is done so well by individuals as by a corporation. In these days corporate bodies are working wonders in the world, and division of labour is the order of the day. Besides, the Sub-Assistant Surgeons, Instead of
to the
AN INDIAN PUBLISHING MEDICAL SOCIETY. By KEiSTODnuN Sub-Assistant
Surgeon,
in
Charitable
Ghose,
charge of the Bhaugulpore Dispensary.
subject of vernacular medical education in this country is importance. Undoubtedly, the Medical College has done a great deal of good to our country?far greater, perhaps, than any other institution. The numerous graduates of the college, being scattered throughout the country, served to establish in the minds of the people an appreciation of the benevolence of the British Government. Wherever they went, they carried with them the germs of western enlightenment. But the question may now be asked, Can all that is desired be effected by that class of medical men call Sub-Assistant Surgeons ? Tliey have been located in large and populous cities, but have they reached the poor and middle classes of people inhabiting the villages? To spread the European system of The
of vast
who must take the lead in the matter, are in too straitened circumstances to do anything individually. A poor Sub-Assist-
Surgeon writes a book in Bengalee, and when it goes to the press a heavy estimate of costs is given to him ; he feels his pocket and gets frightened; after some consideration, he borrows money with the hope of repaying from the proceeds of ant
As a matter of course, to give facilities to the poor students and native doctors in buying his book, he makes the price low, and finds the sale of the book has not half covered his costs. Is it not discouraging enough to make
the sale of his book.
him
give up the idea of a second attempt ? I think now it is time for somebody to come forward and inaugurate a scheme like this. Placed as I am in a station far *
position of hospital assistants will be much improved by the G. G. 0. No. 8S0.
The
recent
CASES EROM PRACTICE.
?November 2, 1S68.]
from the metropolis, I cannot do anything, else I would not have asked any one to take up the task, but I would devote such a body. my head and heart in co operating with The corporation may be formed and managed in the following way:?1. The association should be formed of all medical men, whether in the tions should be raised
metropolis by agents a
fund.
one
book
country, and formed into should be asked to write the association.
4.
Four
five
or
or
out
of it.
2. Contribu-
parts of the 3. Sub-Assistant Surgeons each, and make it over to of the books should be pubin different,
lished every year from the fund. 5. The fund should be aided by permanent subscriptions. 6. The subscribers should be supplied with a copy of all the publications. 7. The books' should be sold at
a
moderate
to subscribe for
a
few
price. copies.
Government should be asked
8.
In this way a great deal can be done to render the medical science into the vernaculars of the country. If no individual forward to unite the medical
comes
profession
in this
good
and great work, it is well worth the attention of the Bengal Branch of the British Medical Association. If the association take this work in hand, and become really resolved to do some tangible and lasting good, then I think many will join and take
aspecial
interest in the institution.
It has been some
all
proposed
of late
by
education to the liakeems and
over
many to try and impart that are practising
quacks
India, and thereby introduce the practice of European
medicine in India; but I fear that is a round-about way, and does not seem likely to prove an effectual means. Nothing be
direct and
of
producing a permanent good doctors, and some improvement in their education. They would in time replace these quacks, and would help the profession with their large experience. From these there can be no fear of imposition. A quack or a liakeem may be taught to treat diseases more skilfully, and more in accordance with modern science, but where would he get that professional dignity which is so essential to a medical practitioner ? This is my appeal to the profession and the numerous readers of the journal. My sense of duty has actuated me to make this appeal, and I hope that no one will pass it off without giving a practical response. can as
the
so
multiplying
Bhaugttlpoee,
sure
of native
Vjth June, 1868.
25o
