Under such circumstances as
these, Dr. W. A. Green, the Medical General, Inspector Department, Lower Province?, suggested the advisability of having the Subordinate Medical Department in Burmali recruited from the Madras Medical College, under the impression that the natives of that Presidency were less obnoxious to the climate of British Burmah than the Ilindoostanees. lie, however, pointed out the probable inability of the Medical authorities of that Presidency to meet the requirements of the Subordinate Medical Service in Burmah. And such really appears to be the case. Foe the Inspector General of the Indian Medical Department, Madras, observes that the Principal of the Medical College is unable to receive more than 33 pupils each session, and the passed men out of this number are already found inadequate to meet the ordinary requirements of the Army and Civil Departments of the Madras Presidency. Moreover, subordinates go to Burmah, when ordered, unwillingly, in consequence of the much greater cost of living there, to meet which they have no increase of pay granted to them like the native doctors furnished from
Bengal;
and it would seem that the
climate of Burmah is not less
inimical to the natives of the Madras Presidency, than to those of Bengal. Dr. Green in
question
points
out
two
methods by which the difficulty The Jirst is, that Government sufficient increase of subordinate servants
may be surmounted.
should authorize
a
the Madras medical
establishment, to enable it to meet the Commissioner; or, 2ndly, that a school should be established, if practicable, for the education of native doctors at Rangoon, upon the model of those at Agra and Nngpore. It would now appear that the Madras Government are disposed to adopt the first alternative. The learned has been of the Medical Principal College requested to explain the reason why only 33 pupils could be received into the Junior Department in 1868, and to indicate the arrangements which might be necessary in order to increase by about twenty the number of pupils either from the Presidency, or from Burmah, if natives of that country, capable of receiving instruction in the English language, are willing to come to the We apprehend the reason is Medical College at Madras. of accommodation for shelter, and the enough?want plain maintenance of discipline in obedience to the Articles of War. If, therefore, it be the case that considerable expense will on
demands of the Chief
THE PROPOSED MEDICAL SCHOOL AT RANGOON. of native doctors for service in British Burmah
Tiie supply from the resources of the Bengal Medical Department has long been a matter of considerable difficulty, and this not-
withstanding the fact, that the pay, when a native doctor is ordered to Burmah, is increased to the extent of 50 per cent. They almost invariably object to serve in that country, and when they are pushed hard to comply with orders, they?if of greater length of service than seven years?with few exceptions claim the privilege of discharge from the service, rather tljan undertake employment which is equally distasteful and unprofitable. The climate, it is alleged, is inimical to the natives of Bengal. The expenses of living are barely covered by the increased pay. There are almost insuperable obstacles to the transport of native doctors' families. Illness causes failure, and experience proves that, after a limited residence,
characterized by unwillingness and discontent, they pelled to return to Bengal wrecked in health,
are com-
have to be incurred before the additional twenty students can be it becomes a question whether, in view of all
accommodated,
the circumstances of the case, it is
desirable, expedient, or in this direction for the accomoutlay prudent, plishment of the object in view. Should the supply of subordinate medical servants for Burmah be chiefly met direct from Madras, in the manner seemingly contemplated by the local Government, the ill effects of the climate upon the natives of Madras, and the great expense of to
incur any
still remain as barriers to the success of the scheme. An increase of 50 per cent, has not succeeded in reconciling the rice-eating Bengal native doctors to take willing service
living,
in the country. pay
of the
Is it
hospital
successful ? That will be tempted to cation of
atical.
a
But
probable that assistants
a
similar increase to tho
of Madras will prove more number of educated Burmese
adequate Madras, for tuition up to the qualifimedical subordinate, may be regarded as problemthe gihe'me of the Madras Government is one which an
go to
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
210
prejudicial to the diffusion of medical education in the East. being only a doubtful half measure, it will, if carried out, retard the progress of European medicine in Burmah, and that too without in any way conducing to economy.
sideration
Whilst
instruction?"
proposed by Dr. Green is that which approbation. The Inspector General of Madras the weight of his opinion and authority to the sug-
The second alternative
also lends
gestion,
and lie urges that the Chief Commissioner of British
Burmah should be requested to take the necessary steps for the establishment of
quirements
a
of the
Medical School at
provinces
Rangoon,
to meet
the re-
under his control. Burmah has now
Director of Public Instruction and
a staff of Inspectors supercontrolling an elaborate system of general education among her inhabitants, and must by this time be ripe for the formation of a medical school to be organized at first according to the plan adopted for the instruction of medical subordinates at Agra and Nagpore. The medical necessities of the province, now prominently brought to light by the heads of the Medical Department in Bengal and Madras, clearly indicate that an opportunity has presented itself to the Chief Commissioner for the bestowal of an everlasting blessing upon the important province under his management, by laying the foundation of a Medical School at Rangoon. What Lord William Bentinck did for Bengal in 1835, Thomason for the North-West Provinces in 1854, Sir John Lawrence for the Punjab in 1863, and Sir Richard Temple for the Central Provinces in 1867, Colonel Fytche possesses the power, if he chooses to exercise it, of accomplishing for British Burmah in
a
intending
and
1809. That the Burmese are
receiving general and medical Dr. Loo, a graduate in medicine at one of the American Universities, is a Burmese. We saw him on his return to India, and we were highly satisfied with his general and special or medical attainments. But the education he obtained was secured after travelling half-way round the globe. What we want now to see is an opportunity for the development and growth of a sound medical education on the spot at Rangoon. Let medical instruction be conveyed to the Burmese in their own country. In short, we are anxious to see young Burmah taught medicine in a medical school of her own. When this much has been accomplished, the demand Not only for medical aid from Bengal or Madras will cease. will the Rangoon Medical School supply allthe wants of the local public service, but the surplus will be utilized in the spread of the European system of medicine among the civil population of the country, and thus the greatest good to the greatest number will be effected,?a principle as true in medicine as it is in philosophy, politics, and political economy.* It is now, we understand, finally settled that a Medical School is to be established in Burmah : but that its operations, in the days of its infancy, are to be limited to the instruction of a class which is to be taught up to the " Native Doctor" standard simply. The time will come when the higher class of Sub-Assistant Surgeon" must be created : but the creation
education,
we
apt
at
know to be the fact.
"
would be premature at present. This course being determined upon, the next
*
our
point for
con-
Since the foregoing was in type, progress has been made, calling, estimation, for further comment.?Ed,, I. If, Q,
in
18G8.
is,?"in what language are the students to receive Upon this subject we hold a very strong opinion. The language ought unquestionably to be English. Quite enough English has been taught in Burmah, even up to the present time, to justify the authorities in insisting upon this qualification. The students need not be admirable Crichtons all that is required is a sufficient acquaintance with the language to enable them to understand the lectures, and to write and read prescriptions. Of course, more than a mere smattering is necessary to enable them to do this : but with the requisite attainments we believe that the educated youth of Burmah are sufficiently familiar. It must not be supposed that we are too stringent in our demands. The era is progressive, and the time has arrived when the Government has a right to expect superior
is
meets our full
[September 1,
"
qualifications
to
those with which native doctors
have
hitherto
been wont to pass for competent first classmen. It is no uncommon thing for such to mistake Calamine, Cerate, for Calomel !
Prior to the admission of students into the Medical Institution at Rangoon,
we
would urge that
required to pass two or three hospital, under the observation
they
should
years in a civil or of the
European
This is the Madras system, and it is found to
have
been
regimental
Medical Officer.
answer
very well.
these, Dr. W. A. Green, the Medical General, Inspector Department, Lower Province?, suggested the advisability of having the Subordinate Medical Department in Burmali recruited from the Madras Medical College, under the impression that the natives of that Presidency were less obnoxious to the climate of British Burmah than the Ilindoostanees. lie, however, pointed out the probable inability of the Medical authorities of that Presidency to meet the requirements of the Subordinate Medical Service in Burmah. And such really appears to be the case. Foe the Inspector General of the Indian Medical Department, Madras, observes that the Principal of the Medical College is unable to receive more than 33 pupils each session, and the passed men out of this number are already found inadequate to meet the ordinary requirements of the Army and Civil Departments of the Madras Presidency. Moreover, subordinates go to Burmah, when ordered, unwillingly, in consequence of the much greater cost of living there, to meet which they have no increase of pay granted to them like the native doctors furnished from
Bengal;
and it would seem that the
climate of Burmah is not less
inimical to the natives of the Madras Presidency, than to those of Bengal. Dr. Green in
question
points
out
two
methods by which the difficulty The Jirst is, that Government sufficient increase of subordinate servants
may be surmounted.
should authorize
a
the Madras medical
establishment, to enable it to meet the Commissioner; or, 2ndly, that a school should be established, if practicable, for the education of native doctors at Rangoon, upon the model of those at Agra and Nngpore. It would now appear that the Madras Government are disposed to adopt the first alternative. The learned has been of the Medical Principal College requested to explain the reason why only 33 pupils could be received into the Junior Department in 1868, and to indicate the arrangements which might be necessary in order to increase by about twenty the number of pupils either from the Presidency, or from Burmah, if natives of that country, capable of receiving instruction in the English language, are willing to come to the We apprehend the reason is Medical College at Madras. of accommodation for shelter, and the enough?want plain maintenance of discipline in obedience to the Articles of War. If, therefore, it be the case that considerable expense will on
demands of the Chief
THE PROPOSED MEDICAL SCHOOL AT RANGOON. of native doctors for service in British Burmah
Tiie supply from the resources of the Bengal Medical Department has long been a matter of considerable difficulty, and this not-
withstanding the fact, that the pay, when a native doctor is ordered to Burmah, is increased to the extent of 50 per cent. They almost invariably object to serve in that country, and when they are pushed hard to comply with orders, they?if of greater length of service than seven years?with few exceptions claim the privilege of discharge from the service, rather tljan undertake employment which is equally distasteful and unprofitable. The climate, it is alleged, is inimical to the natives of Bengal. The expenses of living are barely covered by the increased pay. There are almost insuperable obstacles to the transport of native doctors' families. Illness causes failure, and experience proves that, after a limited residence,
characterized by unwillingness and discontent, they pelled to return to Bengal wrecked in health,
are com-
have to be incurred before the additional twenty students can be it becomes a question whether, in view of all
accommodated,
the circumstances of the case, it is
desirable, expedient, or in this direction for the accomoutlay prudent, plishment of the object in view. Should the supply of subordinate medical servants for Burmah be chiefly met direct from Madras, in the manner seemingly contemplated by the local Government, the ill effects of the climate upon the natives of Madras, and the great expense of to
incur any
still remain as barriers to the success of the scheme. An increase of 50 per cent, has not succeeded in reconciling the rice-eating Bengal native doctors to take willing service
living,
in the country. pay
of the
Is it
hospital
successful ? That will be tempted to cation of
atical.
a
But
probable that assistants
a
similar increase to tho
of Madras will prove more number of educated Burmese
adequate Madras, for tuition up to the qualifimedical subordinate, may be regarded as problemthe gihe'me of the Madras Government is one which an
go to
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
210
prejudicial to the diffusion of medical education in the East. being only a doubtful half measure, it will, if carried out, retard the progress of European medicine in Burmah, and that too without in any way conducing to economy.
sideration
Whilst
instruction?"
proposed by Dr. Green is that which approbation. The Inspector General of Madras the weight of his opinion and authority to the sug-
The second alternative
also lends
gestion,
and lie urges that the Chief Commissioner of British
Burmah should be requested to take the necessary steps for the establishment of
quirements
a
of the
Medical School at
provinces
Rangoon,
to meet
the re-
under his control. Burmah has now
Director of Public Instruction and
a staff of Inspectors supercontrolling an elaborate system of general education among her inhabitants, and must by this time be ripe for the formation of a medical school to be organized at first according to the plan adopted for the instruction of medical subordinates at Agra and Nagpore. The medical necessities of the province, now prominently brought to light by the heads of the Medical Department in Bengal and Madras, clearly indicate that an opportunity has presented itself to the Chief Commissioner for the bestowal of an everlasting blessing upon the important province under his management, by laying the foundation of a Medical School at Rangoon. What Lord William Bentinck did for Bengal in 1835, Thomason for the North-West Provinces in 1854, Sir John Lawrence for the Punjab in 1863, and Sir Richard Temple for the Central Provinces in 1867, Colonel Fytche possesses the power, if he chooses to exercise it, of accomplishing for British Burmah in
a
intending
and
1809. That the Burmese are
receiving general and medical Dr. Loo, a graduate in medicine at one of the American Universities, is a Burmese. We saw him on his return to India, and we were highly satisfied with his general and special or medical attainments. But the education he obtained was secured after travelling half-way round the globe. What we want now to see is an opportunity for the development and growth of a sound medical education on the spot at Rangoon. Let medical instruction be conveyed to the Burmese in their own country. In short, we are anxious to see young Burmah taught medicine in a medical school of her own. When this much has been accomplished, the demand Not only for medical aid from Bengal or Madras will cease. will the Rangoon Medical School supply allthe wants of the local public service, but the surplus will be utilized in the spread of the European system of medicine among the civil population of the country, and thus the greatest good to the greatest number will be effected,?a principle as true in medicine as it is in philosophy, politics, and political economy.* It is now, we understand, finally settled that a Medical School is to be established in Burmah : but that its operations, in the days of its infancy, are to be limited to the instruction of a class which is to be taught up to the " Native Doctor" standard simply. The time will come when the higher class of Sub-Assistant Surgeon" must be created : but the creation
education,
we
apt
at
know to be the fact.
"
would be premature at present. This course being determined upon, the next
*
our
point for
con-
Since the foregoing was in type, progress has been made, calling, estimation, for further comment.?Ed,, I. If, Q,
in
18G8.
is,?"in what language are the students to receive Upon this subject we hold a very strong opinion. The language ought unquestionably to be English. Quite enough English has been taught in Burmah, even up to the present time, to justify the authorities in insisting upon this qualification. The students need not be admirable Crichtons all that is required is a sufficient acquaintance with the language to enable them to understand the lectures, and to write and read prescriptions. Of course, more than a mere smattering is necessary to enable them to do this : but with the requisite attainments we believe that the educated youth of Burmah are sufficiently familiar. It must not be supposed that we are too stringent in our demands. The era is progressive, and the time has arrived when the Government has a right to expect superior
is
meets our full
[September 1,
"
qualifications
to
those with which native doctors
have
hitherto
been wont to pass for competent first classmen. It is no uncommon thing for such to mistake Calamine, Cerate, for Calomel !
Prior to the admission of students into the Medical Institution at Rangoon,
we
would urge that
required to pass two or three hospital, under the observation
they
should
years in a civil or of the
European
This is the Madras system, and it is found to
have
been
regimental
Medical Officer.
answer
very well.
