Preparation for a Medical Career.

Professor L. J. Henderson '98 gave a very helpful talk on "Preparation for the Study of Medicine" in Emerson A last evening at 8 o'clock. His discussion was confined entirely to the subject of anticipating a medical career, while in the undergraduate department of the University. Such anticipation and elementary study in consequence have become very essential since the changes made in the study and practice of medicine during the last 25 years. For not only qualities of tact, patience, and skill are needed in this profession, but a good general knowledge of many subjects to insure the greatest efficiency.

In particular, the minimum elementary work, which should be done by a student anticipating medicine as a profession, should include first, a good reading knowledge of French and German. As an international subject of study, in which investigation is being carried on in foreign countries and especially in France and Germany, medicine requires a general knowledge of these foreign languages. It is not necessary to specialize in these, but the acquisition of a general reading knowledge enabling one to read scientific works, or to study in Europe, proves invaluable to the best physician. Secondly, in the scientific field, it lies entirely with the individual as to whether he wishes to specialize in medical subjects in college, or simply make them a secondary matter, specializing in another field for the sake of interest and general culture. It is quite essential, however, that the student should be prepared in such subjects as Chemistry 1, 2, and 3, Physics C, Botany 1, and Zoology 1 before entering the Medical School. These are fundamentals, which should not be neglected. If he wishes, on the other hand, to acquire as strong a foundation as possible for medicine, while in college, other subjects may be pursued with profit. Chemistry 8 to develop theory, qualitative analysis for the general physician, Botany 6 for the study of bacteria, physiology for the entomologist, and Zoology 3 and 4 for the functional side of medicine and microscopic work, are very valuable. Courses on the nervous system by Professor Parker, psychology, and climatology offered by the science department are also very helpful to a student desiring to take up the study of nervous and chronic diseases. These last named subjects, however, in comparison with the essential elementaries, may be classed as luxuries for the undergraduate student.