Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Polemic

Subjects:

Surgery, Professionalization, Morality, Ethics

Publications cited:

Lancet

    Discusses the Royal College of Surgeons, which appointed some fellows by examination and others because they were favoured by the college's council. Reports on attacks made on the council for this apparently 'unjust and arbitrary conduct' and the council's attempt to gain a government charter for the appointment of fellows without examination. Reports opposition to this move from 'Fellows by Examination', Thomas Wakley, and others, but asks why 'young fellows submit to an examination, if the partial requisition of it was an injustice'. Seeks to console these fellows by reminding them of the security and dignity of their qualification.