Page:Whalley 1822 A vindication of the University of Edinburgh .djvu/11

11 constitutional character, and station of this Physician, and then proceeds to mention the length of time requisite, and the different degrees to be taken, previously to that of M. D. at the English seats of learning, but he forgets to inform his readers, that the time requisite, before a Candidate can obtain the degree of M. D. is not all, or nearly all, spent at College, there being many vacations in the course of the year, and, that even the keeping of many of the Terms, enjoined by the regulations of the University, are dispensed with to the Medical Students, in order, that they may acquire their Medical knowledge, by attendance at Hospitals, Dissections, &c. in London. There is, to be sure, a Hospital in Oxford, and one very small one in Cambridge, but there is no regular full course of Anatomical Lectures delivered in either University, nor any regular Anatomical demonstrations, and it is a very rare circumstance, for a Student to be found with a scalpel and forceps in his hands. The author of the "Observations," omits all mention of the course of medical instruction pursued at the English Seminaries, and for this reason, he knows, that it will not bear criticism. After speaking in terms of commendation, upon the residence required and the caution used, in conferring the degree of M. D. at Oxford and Cambridge, he says, "and hence C2