Note 115 — 1. OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

This class was very properly introduced to place the bachelors of Oxford and Cambridge on an equal footing, in certain respects, with the doctors of foreign universities. At Edinburgh a doctor’s degree may be attained in three years, while in England the bachelor’s degree requires five, and the Doctor’s twelve years standing.

We have purposely avoided any discussion on the subject of the Pharmacopœias which have from time to time been published by the authority of the College; the propriety of forming one standard for medical preparations cannot be doubted, and it is equally indisputable that the College have, both by Charter and acts of Parliament, full power to enforce their regulations; in order to give greater publicity to which, His late Majesty in Council was pleased to issue a Royal Proclamation (for which see Appendix) commanding all persons to observe and obey the directions contained in the Pharmacopœia Londinensis of 1819. Technical objections from time to time have been raised against some of the directions of this work; as it would not fall within our limits or intention to canvass these questions, we shall content ourselves for the present with hinting that an extension rather than a diminution of this power is to be wished, and that the three kingdoms should be united in one general form of medical practice.