IHE MEDICOAI REGISTER.

The Medical Register.

Mav 16, 1845.

THE VENAL UNIVERSITIES OF GERMANV. ——

The daily and weekly publications have for a long time been abundantly supplied with adver- tisements, offering a foreign degree of M. D., in exchange for a certain number of English sovreigns — the smart money averaging from fifteen to forty⸗- according to the softness and the exchequer of the purchaser. We regret that the pages of many of our Medical Journals, which call themselves the guardians of the profession, give evidence that five or six shillings is enough to bribe them to be acces- sories to this shame and nuisance; for, indeed, it is to the medical rather than to the general press, that the odium belongs of extending this disrepu- table commerce.

Like all other trading speculations, when once known to be successful, competitors start up in all directions: so that now—aye even now-— a splendid medical diploma may be had au rabais;“ for some enterprising individuals keenly perceiving that diplomas, like Pyrrha's teeth, when bought, were of little value, proceeded to manufacture à good supply, in the classic locality of Clerkenwell; so that, indeed, the original manufactory is almost superseded by its rivals—we say rivals-— because Birmingham has the credit of competing in this classical and scientific enterprise.

Amongst the bright array of learning, which offers to barter its once honourable testimony for gold, stands in bad pre-eminence—

THE UNIVERSITY OF GIESSEN.

This university was founded in the year 1605. If one is to believe that the long list of professors in every subdivision of medical science, from him of ophthalmology“ to him of“ medical police,“ and thence to his brother professor of„ veterinary medicine“—we say, if such an imposing mass of names, bound together by formal regulations, is supposed to constitute a guarantee for the superior attainments in medical science of him who possesses their diploma;— it is a grievous error.

The prospectus of this University looks well on paper, and so does its diploma, of which we subjoin a copy; and the renowned and honoured Lœbig extends its reputation throughout the scien- tific universe. But because this is the fact, is it to be allowed to circulate its Doctors,“payable at sight,“ like a rich banker's draught, on the faith of the solidity and reputation of the firm?

Vet, a time must come for payment; and, if we mistake not, the time has come for Giessen.

Honourable men, who are well and fully quali- fied, according to the laws of our country, have

been duped to pay 440, for a German licence to be called doctor:— with them this is only a little harmless vanity. But the man with no diploma has made the best bargain he Gdan, for something to enable him to impose, with a show of decency, on ca discerning public.“

The dishonourable man has by some means or other obtained this precious document, and vaun- tingly starts into lucrative quackery, by professing to cure the incurable; or to drag on to its ulti- matum, any case which promises him the distant prospect of a shilling.

This state of things is no fiction, it is a stern reality. Forged diplomas of this and similar kinds have been sold by scores, and we believe, by hun- dreds. Even the University itself is ashamed to publish the amount of its peculations:— for in reply to all our applications, direct and indirect, we can- not get a list of those who have obtained what is termed the“genuine diploma!“

For our own part, we can see no difference between the accredited value of a forged diploma which passes, and the one called“genuine.“

No man will be bold enough to say that either confers any honour on its holder, or offers any claim to public confidence.

In fact, the matter at once resolves itself into a question of pounds, shillings, and pence; and we will only add, that if a man must have this inglo- rious appendage to his professional testimony, the Iess he pays for it the better.

For the information of those who may be inclined to speculate in the diploma market of Giessen—the current price is 250 florins, or about(22.

In conclusion we remark, that it is highly credi- table to the Englishmen in practice in Paris, that they have called a general meeting of the profes- sion, for the purpose of“repudiating' these German degrees— Giessen in particular.

This is as it should be. The medical profession has a power within itself, collossal and overwhelm- ing, for every useful purpose, whether social, prac- tical, or political. All that is required is the ¹cesprit de corps,“ which characterises the other professions. When every medical man can be made to feel the importance of his individual influence, and can learn to use that influence with, and not against his brethren—then will the medical pro- fession assume its right position in the social and scientific universe.

In terminating this hasty notice, on a subject which ought to interest every man who wishes to see the profession respected and respectable, it is with pain that we announce, on good authority, that The Irish College of Surgeons“ is now, and has been for some time, granting diplomas without ewamination, on the production of foreign medical degrees, and payment of the fees. The College of Surgeons of Ireland has always maintained a high reputation, and nothing could be more painful to us, than to chronicle its venality, and, consequ- ently, ruin. We would fain hope, but we cannot believe, that our report is incorrect.