Page:Whalley 1822 A vindication of the University of Edinburgh .djvu/38

38 In page 14, he says, "it is well known, also, that Scotch Doctors often become Surgeons in the army and navy. Now, no such instance was ever known of an Oxford or Cambridge Doctor, and indeed it would be a degradation, as the English Universities in their Doctorate give a rank above Colonels in the army, or Captain's of ships." I am ready to admit, that Scotch Doctors sometimes do become Surgeons in the army and navy, at the commencement of their medical career, and doing so, must, as I have before observed, be content with the rank of Surgeon, for the time. But the army and navy are good Schools for the attainment of medical experience, and the author of the "Observations" will not deny, that many who have thus set out, have afterwards attained to the highest eminence in their profession. As to there having been no such instance ever known, of an Oxford or Cambridge Physician having entered the army or navy as Surgeon, I really am not prepared to say, but if there is one Physician, of either of the English Universities, now occupying such a situation, it is as great a proportion for either of them, as sixty would be for Edinburgh. Though I do not recollect any M. D. of either of the English Seminaries, at present,