Page:The Medical School of the Melbourne University - an address delivered on the twenty fifth anniversary of the opening of the Medical School, in the Wilson Hall, March 23, 1887 (IA b22293346).pdf/17

17 incontrovertible that while there is a soul of goodness in all things evil, it is possible to discover evil in things essentially good. It is not a little curious, however, that while it is insisted that women-students shall be taught in separate classes, when studying medicine in a medical school, it is never regarded as necessary to segregate them when they go to learn the duties of a nurse in hospitals. There they mix freely with the other sex, and are present at all manner of operations, without being considered to forego, in the very least, their claim to be considered pure-minded women; and it is I think at least as possible to preserve this attribute of pure-mindedness in the lecture-room as in the wards of a hospital, and the operating-theatre. And I may be permitted to say, that I have sufficient confidence in the manliness and chivalry of the young-men-students of this School, to be quite sure that they would comply with all the obligations towards their fellow female students which the most fastidious propriety might require.

In speaking of the Medical School, it is right that I should say that part of the objection of parents to send their sons to it has arisen from the belief that its degrees were not recognised in Great Britain. This objection, however, now no longer exists, as the amended Medical Act of Great Britain provides for the registration of the degrees of Colonial Universities. Our diplomas are not now under a ban of inferiority, so that the alleged reason for going to Europe to study Medicine is set aside. Federation with the old country is accomplished at least so far.

To the students now present I would offer a few words of congratulation and counsel. At the opening of the Medical School in 1863 there were three students; now there are over 200. They may congratulate themselves, therefore, upon being associated with an institution that is evidently prosperous. A further evidence of this prosperity is that, during the past year, the fees paid by medical students amounted to upwards of £4000—a sum far in excess of that received from the students of all the other departments. In addition to this sum, it is estimated that during the present year £964 will be obtained from the fees for hospital practice. In the face of these facts, it must be admitted that any parsimony of the Council in dealing with the Medical School, would be the extreme of ungraciousness.