PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR THE MEDICAL LICENSE

An important step recently taken that will have a tendency to raise the standards of medical education is the inauguration of the practical examination by two state examining boards, those of Ohio and Massachusetts. During the written examination, in June, in Ohio, each of the one hundred and sixty-one applicants was called on, in the presence of the entire class, to make a urinalysis and to identify under the microscope histologic, pathologic and bacterial specimens. It required about 50 minutes for each applicant to complete the practical test; he was then given an extension of time to finish his written examination. The results were reported as highly satisfactory. The Massachusetts board required each applicant to give a demonstration on the obstetric manikin and to make a urinalysis, as well as to identify specimens under the microscope. If was stated that many who took these practical tests seemed totally unfamiliar with