TEACHING THE PRINCIPLES OF SURGERY

The surgical practice of twenty-five years hence will be what the surgeons of to-day make it, but the teachers of our medical schools cannot accomplish needed reforms until the members of the profession as a whole recognize the importance of such changes and give their support. When we consider the conditions in medical education twenty years ago—no preliminary requirements for medical study, a two years' course and little clinical and laboratory teaching—we realize how much has been accomplished. The higher place of the profession in public regard, better medical care for our own families and friends, larger fees, with the increased comfort and pleasure in living that they bring, have resulted from the efforts of the veteran leaders in the profession of to-day. These changes have not been brought about in a day, but are the result of long-continued and united effort. There is no possibility of standing still; we