Art. IV. Requisitions for Graduation in the various 
Medical Colleges ; and Requsitions for License to practice 
Physic and Surgery, in the various States and Territories of 
the Union. 
The subsequent papers were reported to the society, by a com- 
mittee consisting of Drs. T. R. Beck, Wendell and Ludlow, in 
February, 1832. (See page 5 of the Appendix.) 
In the American Almanack, for 1832, p. 167, a list of the 
Medical Schools in the United States is given, amounting to 
seventeen. The only one not included in the succeeding list, is 
Waterville Medical School, in the state of Maine, It is 
stated to have four professors. 4 
Requisitions for Graduation. 
Name of llie 
University 
or College. 
Number of Courses 
of Lectures to be 
attended. 
Time of 
study. 
Length of the 
Course. 
Age. 
1. Bowdoin 
College, 
( Maine.) 
Two lull courses. 
—the last iu it. 
Three years, 
including 
the time 
devoted to 
lectures. 
3 Months. 
Commences 
the middle 
of Februa- 
ry. 
No regulation, 
but no one 
under 21 yrs. 
has ever re- 
ceived a de- 
gree. 
2. Dartmouth 
College, 
(JYew-Hamp- 
shire.) 
Two full courses, 
one at least in it. 
Three full 
years—In- 
cluding the 
time of at- 
tendinglec- 
tures. 
14 Weeks. 
Commences 
1 week af- 
ter the Col- 
lege Com- 
mencement 
(which is on 
Wednesday 
preceding 
last Tues. in 
August.) 
No regulation. 
3. Harvard 
University, 
(Massachusetts.) 
Two full courses. 
Three years, 
under some 
respectable 
practition- 
er, includ- 
ing the time 
devoted to 
lectures. 
4 Months. 
Commences 
3d W ednes- 
day in Oc- 
tober. 
21 years. 
4. Berkshire 
Medical In- 
stitution, 
(Massachusetts.) 
Two full courses 
—one at least 
in it. 
Three years, 
including 
the time 
devoted to 
lectures. 
15 Weeks. 
Commences 
first Thurs- 
day in Sep- 
tember. 
21 years. 
5. Yale Col- 
lege, 
( Connecticut.) 
Two full courses. 
N. B. Only one 
is required by 
statute, but the 
practice is as 
above. 
- 
3 years, if 
he has grad- 
uated, and 
four years if 
he has not. 
—The lime 
devoted to 
lectures, in 
either case, 
inclusive. 
18 Weeks. 
Commences 
about the 
middle of 
October. 
21 years. Requisitions for Graduation 
5 
Further Regulations. 
Number of Professorships. 
Authority. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
Those who have not receiv- 
ed a collegiate education, 
to satisfy the Faculty of 
their knowledge of Latin, 
and Natural Philosophy.— 
The Censors of the State 
Medical Society are joint 
examiners with the Profes- 
sors. 
4 Professorships. 
1. Chemistry and Materia 
Medica. 
2. Theory and Practice of 
Physic. 
3. Anatomy and Surgery. 
4. Midwifery. 
Prof. Cleaveland, of 
said institution. 
Statutes of do. 
Thesis.—Examinations be- 
fore the Professors and De- 
legates of the New-Hamp- 
shire Medical Society. An 
acquaintance with Natural 
and Experimental Philoso- 
phy and the Latin Lan- 
guage. 
3 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy, Surgery and 
Obstetrics. 
2. Physiology, Theory and 
Practice of Physic and 
Materia Medica. 
3. Chemistry and Pharma- 
cy. Medical Jurispru- 
dence is divided among 
the Professors. 
Statutes of the Med- 
ical Institution of 
Dartmouth College 
1831. 
Professor Mussey, 
of said College. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
Those who have not an ac- 
ademical education, to sat- 
isfy the Faculty of their 
knowledge of Latin and 
Experimental Philosophy. 
5 Professorships. 
1. Theory and Practice o! 
Medicine. 
2. Anatomy and Surgery. 
3. Midwifery and Medical 
Jurisprudence. 
4. Materia Medica. 
5. Chemistry. 
Statutes of the Uni- 
versity relative to 
the degree of M. D. 
Prof. Cbanning, of 
said University. 
Thesis.—Examinations be- 
fore the Professors and two 
Delegates of the Massachu- 
setts Medical Society. An 
adequate knowledge of the 
Latin language. 
G Professorships. 
1. Theory and Practice of 
Medicine. 
2. Medical Jurisprudence. 
3. Theoretical &i Operative 
Surgery. 
4. Materia Medica and Ob- 
stetrics. 
5. Anatomy &. Physiology. 
6. Chemistry, Botany, and 
Natural Philosophy. 
Prof. Childs, of said 
institution. 
Thesis. A competent know- 
ledge of Latin and Natural 
Philosophy. Examinations 
before the Professors and 
an equal number of Dele- 
gates from the Stale Medi- 
cal Society. 
6 Professorships. 
1. Chemistry Pharmacy. 
2. Anatomy Physiology. 
3. Theory and Practice of 
Medicine. 
4. Materia Medica and The- 
rapeutics. . ' 
5. Principles and Practice 
of Surgery, 
o. Obstetrics. 
Baldwin’s Annals of 
Yale College,pages 
ISO and 223. 
Prof. Tolly, of said 
College. Requisitions for Graduation. 
Name of the 
University or 
College. 
Number of Courses 
of Lectures to be 
attended. 
Time of 
study. 
Length of the 
Course. 
Age. 
6. Brown Uni- 
versity, 
( Rhode-Island.) 
“ A regular course of Medical Lectures is not at present 
delivered in it. Its terms of Graduation were pre- 
cisely similar to those of Yale and Dartmouth.” 
7. University or 
Vermont. 
Two'full courses. 
—the last in it. 
3 years, in- 
cluding lec- 
ture terms, 
with a reg- 
ular practi- 
tioner. 
14 Weeks. 
Commences 
August 8. 
8. Vermont 
Academy of 
Medicine. 
Two full courses 
—the last in it. 
3 yrs. includ- 
ing lecture 
terms, in 
some med. 
school or 
with some 
respectable 
practitioner 
15 Weeks. 
Commences 
on the third 
Thursday in 
August. 
21 years. 
9. University of 
Pennsylvania. 
Two full courses, 
“ and one course of 
clinical instruction 
in the Phil. Alms- 
house Infirmary, or 
the Penn. Hospital, 
or some other insti- 
tution approved of, 
by the Faculty of 
Medicine. Students 
who attended one 
complete course in 
a respectable Med. 
School, where the 
attendance on two 
complete courses is 
necessary for a de- 
gree, & where the 
same branches are 
taught as here, are 
admitted as candi- 
dates by an attend- 
ance on one full 
course only.” 
3 years, “ and 
during that pe- 
riod must have 
been the pri- 
vate pupil for 
two years at 
least of a res- 
pectable prac- 
titioner." 
4 Months. 
Commences 
1st Monday 
in November 
21 years. 
10. Jefferson 
College, 
( Pennsylvania,) 
Two full courses 
—one at least 
in it. 
Three years, 
including 
the time of 
attendance 
on lectures. 
4 Months. 
Commences 
1st Monday 
in Novem- 
ber. 
21 years. Requisitions for Graduation 
7 
Further Regulations. 
Number of Professorships. 
Authority. 
Prof. Parsons, of 
said University. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
4 Professorships. 
1. Nat. Philosophy, Chemis- 
try and Pharmacy. 
2. Anatomy, Botany and 
Materia Medica. 
3. Physiology, Pathology & 
Practice of Medicine. 
4. Surgery and Obstetrics. 
Circular of the Fac- 
ulty, May 1831. 
Thesis.—Examinations be- 
fore the Faculty and the 
Delegates of the State Me- 
dical Soeiety. 
5 Professorships. 
1. Theory and Practice of 
Medicine and Materia 
Medica. 
2. Surgery and Obstetrics. 
3. Anatomy & Physiology. 
4. Chemistry Nat.History. 
5. Natural Philosophy. 
Circular of the 
Faculty. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
6 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy. 
2. Institutes and Practice of 
Medicine SiClinical Me- 
dicine. 
3. Surgery. 
4. Materia Medica Si Phar- 
macy. 
5. Chemistry. 
6. Midwifery and Diseases 
of Women and Chil- 
dren. 
Official catalogue of 
the officers & stu- 
dents of the Uni- 
versity of Penn- 
sylvania, 1830-31. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
7 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy. 
2. Surgery. 
3. Practice of Medicine. 
4. Chemistry. 
5. Materia Medica. 
6. Obstetrics and Pharmacy 
7. Institutes ofMedietne and 
Medical Jurisprudence. 
Professor Green, of 
said College. Requisitions for Graduation, 
8 
Name of the 
University or 
College. 
Number of Courses 
of Lectures to be 
attended. 
Time of 
study. 
Length of the 
Course. 
Age. 
11. University of 
Maryland. 
To attend two 
winters, and take 
during that time 
all the tickets at 
least once. 
Not noticed. 
4 Months. 
Commences 
on the last 
Monday in 
October. 
Not noticed. 
12. Washington 
Medical Col- 
lege, Balti- 
more.* 
To attend two 
winters, and to 
lake during that 
lime all the tick- 
ets at least once. 
Not noticed. 
4 Months. 
Commencing 
first Monday 
in October. 
No rule—but 
none have been 
graduated un- 
der 21 yrs. and 
will not be. 
13. Columbian 
College, Dis- 
trict of Colum- 
bia. 
Two full courses 
—one at least in 
it. 
Three years, 
including the 
time devoted 
to lectures. 
4 Months. 
Commences 1st 
Monday in No- 
vember. 
21 years. 
14. University of 
Virginia. 
Three courses— 
one at least in it. 
Three years. 
10 Months. 
Commences 
September 10. 
21 years. 
15. Medical Col- 
lege of South 
Carolina. 
Two full courses 
--one at least in it. 
Three years, 
including the 
time devoted 
to lectures. 
5 Months. 
Commences 2d 
Monday in No- 
vember. 
21 years. 
16. Transylvania 
University, 
( Kentucky.) 
Two full courses 
—one at least in it. 
If the candidate 
shall have practis- 
ed medicine credit- 
ably for four years, 
then one course 
shall be sufficient. 
Not noticed. 
4 Months. 
Commences 1st 
Monday in No- 
vember. 
21 years. 
* The degrees in (his institution are conferred by Washington College, Pennsylvania.— 
“ The degrees so granted are respected and placed by the State Faculty of Maryland, up- 
on an equality with diplomas from all other respectable Colleges.”—Professor Jameson. Requisitions for Graduation• 
9 
Further Regulations. 
Number of Professorships. 
A uthority. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
7 Professorships. 
1. Theory & Practice ofMed. 
2. Materia Medica. 
3. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
4. Institutes of Medicine. 
5. Surgery. 
6. Anatomy. 
7. Chemistry. 
Prof. N. 13. Smith, 
of said College. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
6 Professorships. 
1. Surgery. 
2. Therapeutics and Materia 
Medica. 
3. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
4. Theory and Practice of 
Medicine. 
5. Anatomy &. Physiology. 
6. Chemistry and Medical 
Jurisprudence. 
Professor Jameson, 
of said College. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
6 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy and Physiology. 
2. Theory and Practice of Me- 
dicine & Clinical Medicine. 
3. Materia Medica & Med. Bot 
4. Obstetrics. 
5. Chemistry. 
6. Surgery. 
Professor Sewall, of 
said College. 
Examinations. 
3 Professorships. 
1. Medicine and Medical Juris- 
prudence. 
2. Anatomy and Surgery. 
3. Chemistry and Mat. Medica. 
Professor J. A. Smith, 
of New-York. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
7 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy. 
2. Surgery. 
3. Institutes & Prac. of Physic. 
4. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
5. Chemistry and Pharmacy. 
6. Materia Medica. 
7. Pathological & Sur. Anatomy. 
Professor Wagner, of 
said College. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
6 Professorships. 
1. Theory & Practice ofMed. 
2. Institutes of Medicine, Clin. 
Med. & Med. Jurisprudence. 
3. Anatomy and Surgery. 
I. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
5. Mat. Med. and Med. Botany. 
3. Chemistry and Pharmacy. 
Professor Caldwell, of 
said University. 10 
Requisitions for Graduation. 
Name of the 
University 
or College. 
Number of Courses 
of Lectures to be 
attended. 
Time of 
study. 
Age. 
Length of the 
Course. 
17. Medical Col- 
lege or Ohio. 
1. Satisfactory certificates of having studied me- 
dicine with some respectable practitioner three years, 
and of haring attended two full courses of lectures 
—or, 2. of having attended three full courses of lec- 
tures, and studied as before, all the time between 
them—or, 3. of having been in regular and reputa- 
ble practice four years, and of having attended one 
full course of lectures. In all these cases, the last 
course, at least, in this institution. 
4 Months. 
Commences last 
Monday in Oc- 
tober. 
18. Medical In- 
stitute OF THE 
State of Geor- 
gia. 
The “ Medical Academy of Georgia,” was incorporated Decern. 
20, 1828, with powers to grant the degree of Bachelor of Medi- 
cine, after one year’s attendance in said institution and due exami- 
nation. These graduates were allowed to practice medicine and sur- 
gery within the state,—the same as if licensed by the Board of Phy- 
sicians. 
By an act passed Dec. 19, 1829, the Medical Academy of Georgia 
had its title changed to that of the “ Medical Institute of the 
State of Georgia.” The trustees and professors and teachers of 
said institute, to constitute a board, which is empowered to grant the 
degree of M. D. to all applicants, according to the regulations that 
19 Si 20.Universi- 
SITY OF the StAT£ 
of New-York. 
1. College of Physi- 
cians 4* Surgeons, 
New- York. 
Two full courses. 
—the last in it. 
Three years. 
21 years. 
4 Months. 
Commences 1st 
Monday in No- 
vember. 
2. College of Physi- 
cians 4* Surgeons, 
Fairfield. 
Two full courses 
—the last in it. 
Three years 
21 years. 
1G Weeks. 
Commences 1st 
Tuesday in Oc- 
tober. Requisitions for Graduation. 
11 
Further Regulations. 
Number of Frofessoi'shijjs. 
A uthoriti/. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
8 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy. 
2. Chemistry and Pharmacy. 
3. Surgery. 
4. Materia Medica and Botany. 
5. Obstetrics & Dis. of W. & C. 
6. Theory & Practice of Med. 
7. Institutes of Medicine and 
Medical Jurisprudence. 
8. Clinical Medicine. 
Western Journal Med. 
and Phys. Sciences, 
for July, 1831. 
they may adopt—Provided however that said degree shall in no 
case be conferred on any person who has not attended two full 
courses of lectures in the institute, or one course in some res- 
pectable Medical College or University and one in the institute, 
in addition to the usual term of private instruction, required 
by other institutions of a similar kind. 
N. B. The committee have not noticed the appointment of 
Professors in said institution. 
Session Laws for 1828 
and for 1829 (in the 
State Library.) 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
7 Professorships. 
1. Anatomy and Physiology. 
2. Principles and Practice of 
Surgery. 
3. Theory & Practice of Phys- 
ic and Clinical Medicine. 
4. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
5. Materia Medica and Medical 
Jurisprudence. 
6. Chemistry and Botany. 
7. Surgical Anatomy and Ope- 
rative Surerery. 
Thesis.—Examinations. 
5 Professorships. 
1. Obstetrics and Diseases of 
Women and Children. 
2. Chemistry and Mat. Medica. 
3. Theory & Practice of Physic 
and Med. Jurisprudence. 
4. Anatomy and Physiology. 
5. Surgery. Requisitions for License. 
REQUISITIONS FOR LICENSE. 
Maine.—The Medical Society of Maine was incorporated 
in 1821, with powers to make by-laws, and it was required 
to choose Censors for examining and licensing students in 
medicine. The by-laws require that the time of study shall 
not be less than three years. 
The examiners in case both of the degree of M. D., from 
Bowdoin College, and of license, consist of the Medical Fac- 
ulty of said College, and of the Censors of the State Medical 
Society.—Professor Clcaveland of Bowdoin College. 
By an act passed in January 1831, it is ordained, that u no 
person shall be entitled to recover a compensation for servi- 
ces rendered as a physician or surgeon, unless he shall have 
received a medical degree, or shall have been licensed by the 
Censors of the Maine Medical Society.”—American Jurist, 
6, p. 441. 
New-Hampshire.—There is no state law regulating the 
practice of physic and surgery. The charter of the New- 
IIampshire State Medical Society, granted in 1791, gives full 
powers to its members to enact such by-laws for the regula- 
tion of its concerns, as shall not be repugnant to the laws of 
the state. The requisitions for a license are, to have arrived 
at the age of 21 years; to have a competent knowledge of 
the English and Latin languages, and a general acquaintance 
with the principles of geometry and natural philosophy; to 
have studied three full years with some respectable practi- 
tioner, and to have attended a full course of lectures at some 
incorporated medical institution. The degree of M. D. from 
any regular institution where medicine is publicly taught in 
all its branches, is an adequate license to practice; and a li- 
cense from one of the sister state societies, whose by-laws re- 
quire as full a course of preparatory study, is recognized by 
the New-Hampshire Medical Society.—Communication from 
Professor Musscy, of Dartmouth College. Requisitions for License. 
13 
Vermont.—By an act passed November 14, 1820, no 
person who has not heretofore been in practise, and who 
shall be employed in the practice of physic and surgery, or 
administering medicines, or performing surgical operations 
within this state, shall hereafter have a right to receive fees, 
unless he be a member of some legally constituted medical 
society within the state ; hath obtained the degrees of batch- 
elor or doctor of physic in some academy, college or univer- 
sity within this state, or elsewhere, having authority to con- 
fer such degrees; or be licensed to practise as herein after pre- 
scribed. 
Each of the supreme court Judges on application and find- 
ing the applicant qualified, shall have power to grant license 
to any person who is an inhabitant of this state, and of good 
moral character, to practice physic and surgery within the 
same, having first examined the applicant, calling to his as- 
sistance, two or more physicians who are members of some 
legally constituted medical society in this state.—Laws of 
Vermont, compiled by Wm. Slade, Windsor, 1825, p. 606, 
in the State Library. 
Massachusetts.—By an act of the legislature passed 
February 19, 1819, no person entering the practice of physic 
and surgery after the first of July, 1819, shall be entitled to 
receive any debt or fee for professional services, unless he 
shall have previously graduated as doctor in medicine in 
Harvard University, or have been licensed by the officers of 
the Massachusetts Medical Society as herein after designated. 
The counsellors of said society, are annually to appoint 
five Censors for each of the districts of the commonwealth. 
These, or a majority of them, shall constitute a separate board 
of examiners or Censors, with powers to grant licenses, u and 
when any person who has been educated to the practice of 
physic and surgery out of this commonwealth, or who has 
come into this commonwealth to pursue the practice of the 
same, shall present himself to either of the boards of Cen- 
sors as above, for examination, the said Censors may exam- 14 
Requisitions for License. 
ine any documents which such candidate may offer; and if 
they are satisfied by the same, that such candidate has re- 
ceived an education agreeably to the regulations which have 
been, or may be provided by said society, and has been du- 
ly examined and approved by some competent authority, 
they may thereupon license such candidate to practise phys- 
ic or surgery, or both, as the case may be, without subject- 
ing him to a new examination.” 
By the act regulating the practice of physic and surgery, 
passed February 19, 1818, it is ordained that the Censors 
shall be governed by the laws and regulations of the Massa- 
chusetts Medical Society. This clause is confirmed in the 
act first quoted. 
The regulations of the M. M. Society, are as follows : 1st. 
As regards such as are educated within this commonwealth. 
1. The candidate shall be of sound mind, and shall have such 
an acquaintance with the Latin language as is necessary for 
a medical and surgical education, and with the principles of 
geometry and natural philosophy. 2. He shall have stud- 
ied three full years under the direction, and attended the prac- 
tice of some one or more of the fellows or honorary members 
of the society, and shall have studied all the authors which 
the counsellors shall from time to time specify, as constituting 
a proper course of medical education. 2. As to the persons 
educated without this commonwealth. These may be admit- 
ted to an examination either by the Censors of the society, or 
by those of any medical district society, if they possess the 
qualifications specified in the first article, and if instead of 
those in the second, they shall have studied three full years 
under the direction, and attended the practice of some reputa- 
ble physician and surgeon, or physicians and surgeons. 
When persons come from another slate or foreign country, 
they shall present to the Censors, evidence of their right to 
practise ; and if upon examination, it shall appear that the per- 
son presenting the testimonials is of a sound mind, and that he 
has received an education equal to that required of candidates 
for examination before the said Censors, they shall consider jRequisitions for License. 
15 
him properly qualified and license him as a practitioner of 
physic and surgery. 
Before proceeding to the examination of a candidate, “ it 
shall be especially enquired, whether any portion of his 
time which he has professed to devote to his medical educa- 
tion, has been employed in keeping school, or in any other 
occupation, and whenever it appears that a candidate has 
employed a part of his time in keeping school, or any other 
occupation, and at the same time has been studying medi- 
cine and surgery; and it is certified by his medical precep- 
tor, that he has diligently and assiduously employed the hours 
not devoted to this school in his professional studies; a 
part of the time so employed shall be allowed towards the 
making up the time of such candidate’s pupillage, that is to 
say, if the pupil has been engaged in a day school for five 
or six hours in a day, one half the time so spent, shall be allow- 
ed towards the time of the pupillage; and if a smaller por- 
tion of time has been so employed, an allowance shall be 
made in proportion, only, that in all cases, the last year of 
pupillage shall be entirely devoted to professional pursuits.” 
in cases of persons educated and licensed without the com- 
monwealth, the Censors shall enquire “ whether the practice 
of the body, before whom the candidate has been examined, 
has been such as to entitle their approbation to full respect.” 
If not satisfactory, they shall re-examine the candidate.—Acts 
of the Legislature of Massachusetts, regulating the practice 
of Physic and Surgery, and by-laws of the Massachusetts 
Medical Society, 8vo. Boston, 1826, from Professor Chan- 
ning, of Harvard University. 
Rhode-Island—A State Medical Society was incorporat- 
ed during the February session of 1812, consisting of a large 
body of regular practitioners. These have power to elect 
members. Censors appointed by them, have power to exam- 
ine all candidates for the practice of physic and surgery, who 
shall offer themselves for examination—and if approved, they 
shall receive letters testimonial from the society. The by-laws 
of the society (which the charter authorises them to make) di- Requisitions for License. 
rect the following requisites for examination : 1. Such an 
acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages as is neces- 
sary for a medical and surgical education. 2. Three years’ 
study under some reputable practitioner. The Censors are 
also to examine and approve the testimonials of persons com- 
ing from another state or country ; and if approved, they shall 
be entitled to all the privileges granted by a license. 
“ There is no law preventing irregular practitioners from 
recovering their bills.”—Professor Parsons, of Providence. 
By-laws of Bhode-Island Medical Society, received from Dr. 
Parsons. 
Connecticut.—By an act passed June 4, 1829, it is de- 
clared, that “ every candidate for a license to practise physic 
and surgery, who shall hereafter commence the study of the 
medical profession, shall exhibit to the committee of examina- 
tion, satisfactory evidence, that in addition to a good English 
education,he had acquired a competent knowledge of the Latin 
language, and some acquaintance with the principles of na- 
tural philosophy, previous to the commencement of his pro- 
fessional studies. Every such candidate, provided he shall 
have graduated at some college, shall be required to study 
three years with some respectable physician and surgeon, and 
if not a graduate, four years, and to have attended one full 
course of lectures on the several branches of medical science, 
and to have arrived at the age of 21 years. He shall also be 
required to produce evidence of his good moral character and 
of his having pursued professional studies the requisite period 
of time, and of his having attended the requisite courses of 
medical lectures.”—Baldwin's Annals of Yale College, page 
180. 
“No person unless legally authorised to practise, can col- 
lect professional debts.”—Dr. Tully. 
“ There is but one legal board of Censors in the state of 
Connecticut for the examination of candidates, either for the 
degree of M. D. or for a license. This board consists of the 
president of the Connecticut Medical Society, the Medical 
Professors of Yale College ex-officiis, with the addition of Requisitions for License. 
17 
such a number of physicians (chosen by a board of the Con- 
necticut Medical Society, styled the President and Fellows,) 
as with the president of the society, shall equal the number 
of the professors of the College.”—Dr. Tally. The present 
number of examiners is 12. 
New-Jersey.—The Medical Society of the state of New- 
Jersey, which is a chartered body, is empowered to examine 
students and to grant licenses to practise physic or surgery or 
both, within the state. Three or more Censors (four is the 
actual number appointed by the state society) are to be ap- 
pointed from each of three districts ; four of whom, at least, 
shall examine the applicant or applicants carefully and im- 
partially on the subjects of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Chem- 
istry, Anatomy, Surgery and the Practice of Physic, and three 
approving signatures shall be necessary to render their certifi- 
cate of recommendation valid. No person to be deemed quali- 
fied for an examination, unless he has studied under a regular 
practitioner in New-Jersey, four years, and attended at least 
one course of medical lectures, but if he shall have obtained 
a diploma from any college, then three years study, including 
a course of lectures, shall be sufficient. He must also give 
satisfactory evidence of being 21 years of age. Any person 
coming from another state with the aforesaid certificate and 
qualifications, may be examined and licensed by the Censors. 
A certificate of the commencement of the time of study to be 
filed with the secretary of the state society, or one of the 
district secretaries, and the day of filing the same is to be the 
commencement of the time of study. 
No person shall commence the practice of physic or surge- 
ry within this state, until he shall have passed an examination 
and received a diploma as above, (unless he was a respecta- 
ble practitioner previous to the passage of the act of February 
15, 1816,) under a penalty of twenty-five dollars for every 
prescription. u It is hereby made the duty of the district so- 
ciety, in any county where such penalty shall be incurred, to 
prosecute for the same.” Further, “ Any person practising 18 
Requisitions for License. 
contrary to the provisions of this act, is disqualified from col- 
lecting any debt incurred by such practise. All persons 
hereafter licensed, to deposit a copy of such license with the 
clerk of the county in which they reside, and those who neg- 
lect this, shall be as liable as if they had no license. 
“ This act shall he so construed as to prevent all irregular 
bred pretenders to the healing art, under the names or titles 
of Practical Botanist, Root or Indian Doctor, or any other 
name or title, involving quackery of any species, from practi- 
sing their deceptions, and imposing upon the ignorance and 
credulity of their fellow-citizens.” It is made the duty of 
the overseers of the poor and the district societies, to prose- 
cute to conviction, all such offences against the laws and well 
being of the people of this state. 
Prescriptions and advice upon emergencies are excepted, 
“nor shall this act be so construed as to prevent any licensed 
physician or surgeon living in an adjoining state, from prac- 
tising in this state occasionally, when consulted for that pur* 
pose.” 
N. B. In the by-laws of the society, the following (among 
others) direction is given to the Censors. ‘c Inquiry shall be 
made of the candidate whether any part of his time has been 
occupied in other avocations, and if so, it shall be discretion- 
ary with the board to allow the whole or any part of the 
time of such candidate’s pupillage.”—Communication from 
Dr. Augustus R. Taylor, of J\r cw-Brunswick, (New-Jer- 
sey.) 
Pennsylvania.—None.—Transylvania Journal of Me- 
dicine, vol. 3, p. 439. Dr. Green. 
Delaware.—The Medical Society of this state, which by 
a previous act had been constituted a corporation, was by an 
act passed January 4, 1822, empowered to appoint a medical 
board of examiners for the state of Delaware, which board 
shall have power to grant licenses for the practice of physic 
and surgery in this state, and “ they are required to grant such 
license to any person applying therefor, who shall produce a Requisitions for License. 
19 
diploma from a respectable medical college, or shall upon full 
and impartial examination, be found qualified for the practice 
of physic and surgery. The sum of ten dollars is required to 
be paid to the society for each license. 
The medical board of examiners consists of fifteen mem- 
bers, who continue in office five years. (Constitution of the 
State Medical Society.) 
No person, who was not at the time of passing this act a 
practitioner of medicine and surgery in this state, or who is 
not residing in and regularly admitted to practise medicine and 
surgery in some other state, shall hereafter practise within 
this state, or receive, or demand any fee or reward therefor, 
without having first obtained a license as above. Any offend- 
ers may be indicted and fined not less than fifty dollars, nor 
more than one thousand dollars, at the discretion of the 
court, and be adjudged to pay the costs of the prosecution. 
“In the case of the graduates of any respectable college, 
the license is granted on the exhibition of the diploma. In 
the case of those who are not graduates, the requisites are, 
having studied three years with some respectable practitioner, 
(a certificate of which is required) having attended at least one 
full course of lectures in some respectable college, and being 
twenty-one years of age.”—Dr. J. FranhlinVaughan. Laws 
of the State of Delaware (in the State Library)—Constitu- 
tion and By-Laws of the Medical Society of Delaware— 
Communication from J. Franklin Vaughan, M. D. of Wil- 
mington. 
Maryland.—By an act passed January 20, 1799, a num- 
ber of physicians in this state were incorporated under the title 
of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Mary- 
land, with the usual powers. They are authorised “ to elect 
into their body such medical and surgical practitioners within 
the state as they may deem qualified to become members of the 
faculty.” They are authorised to elect, by ballot, twelve per- 
sons of the greatest medical and chirurgical abilities in the state, 
who shall be styled the Medical Board of Examiners for the liequisitions for License. 
state of Maryland, seven of whom shall be residents of the 
western and five of the eastern shore of Maryland, whose duty 
it shall be to grant licenses to such medical and chirurgical gen- 
tlemen, as they, either upon a full examination, or upon the 
production of diplomas from some respectable college, may 
judge adequate to commence the practice of the medical and 
chirurgical arts.” Any five of the examiners for the western, 
or any three of those for the eastern shore to be a quorum.— 
After the appointment of this medical board, no person not al- 
ready a practitioner of medicine or surgery, shall be allowed 
to practise in either of the said branches and receive payment 
for his services, without having first obtained a license, certi- 
fied as by this law directed, under the penalty of fifty dollars 
for each offence, to be recovered in the county court where he 
may reside, by bill of presentment and indictment. By a sup- 
plementary act passed in 1801, it is enacted, u that from and 
after the passage of this act, no person who is not already a 
practitioner of medicine and surgery within this state, shall be 
allowed to practise in either of the said branches and receive 
payment for the same, without first having obtained a license 
agreeably to the original act to which this is a supplement, un- 
der a penalty of fifty dollars for each offence.” Under the pro- 
visions of this act, the examiners require all graduates to 
apply for and obtain a license. A supplementary act passed 
in 1819, declares that no person residing out of this state, shall 
be permitted to practise physic or surgery within it, without 
being subject to the same regulations, and liable to the same 
penalties as are imposed on residents. Another supplementa- 
ry act, passed February 19, 1822, enacts, that no firm, or com- 
pany, associated for the purpose of practising physic or surgery, 
or both within this state, when one or more of the persons, 
partners of said firm or company, is or arc not authorised to 
practise medicine and surgery, shall have power to recover 
remuneration for medicines'or services rendered. No person 
or persons not authorised to practise, shall be permitted to 
practise in the name or as the partners of others ; and no per- 
son permitted to practise, shall be allowed to associate him- Requisitions for License. 
21 
self with an unauthorised person for this purpose. Bona-fide 
students, however, actually attached to the office of authorised 
practitioners, are exempted from this prohibition, and their 
preceptors may recover for their services. The judges of the 
county courts and the Baltimore city court, are directed to give 
this act, and the others already analyzed, in charge to their 
respective grand juries. 
The by-laws of “the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of 
Maryland” authorise the Boards of Examiners to grant special 
licenses to dentists and oculists to practise in their respective 
branches, “subjecting them to an examination only on the 
branches they profess.” 
u All persons, graduates and licentiates, are entitled to a 
seat in the faculty, and to membership, so soon as they have 
received the requisite license to practise physic and surgery in 
the state of Maryland.”—By-Laws, article xv. The acts 
of incorporation and supplementary acts, with the By-Laws 
of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, 18mo. 
Baltimore, 1822. ( Communicated by JohnJ. Graves, M. D.J 
Virginia.—None. Any one may practise and recover for 
the same at the discretion of a jury. There is no incorporated 
Medical Society in this state.—Professor John A. Smith, of 
New-York. 
North Carolina.—“ There is no law in this slate regu- 
lating the practise of physic, and no license is required to ena- 
ble any one to practise in the profession.”—Hon. W. L. Mar- 
cy, on the information of one of the U. S. Senators from N. 
Carolina. 
South Carolina-—By an act of the legislature, passed 
Dec. 18, 1817, two boards of physicians are established for the 
examination of all applicants—one at Charleston, consisting of 
the Medical Society of South Carolina, incorporated in 1794, 
and another at Columbia, consisting of various physicians 
named in the act. Three members of each board constitute a 
quorum, and they are required to grant licenses, provided they 22 
-Requisitions for License. 
find the applicant qualified, and also that he prove to their sat- 
isfaction that he has studied medicine and surgery under the 
direction of some regular bred practising physician for at least 
two years. If an applicant has studied and received a diplo- 
ma from any medical college, the boards are directed to grant 
a license without any examination. In case any one practises 
after the date of this act, (excepting such as are now practis- 
ing medicine and surgery within the state) without a license 
as above, he may be indicted, and if convicted fined in a sum 
not exceeding five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned not ex- 
ceeding the term of two months.—Professor Wagner, of 
Charleston. S. C. 
Alabama.— By a law passed December 22, 1823, no per- 
son shall be allowed to practise physic or surgery, or any other 
branches thereof, or in any case to prescribe for the cure of dis- 
eases, for fee or reward, after the 1st of April, 1824, unless a 
license has been obtained as follows. Five Boards of Physi- 
cians are by this law established, to consist of three members 
each, and to be elected by joint vote of both houses of the gen- 
eral assembly. These boards (two members a quorum) shall 
meet annually to examine all applicants, and if upon such ex- 
amination, they are found competent, shall grant licenses. A 
single member may examine an applicant during the interval, 
and grant permission to practise until the next annual meet- 
ing. 
This act is not to affect those who have been in practice pre- 
vious to the passage of this act, if they apply to one of said 
boards, and have their names enrolled within nine months af- 
ter the passage of this act. 
No debts are recoverable by persons not licensed as above, 
and a fine of five hundred dollars is imposed for the violation 
of any of the provisions of this act—provided however, that 
nothing in this act is to be so construed as to prevent persons 
from practising as Doctors of Medicine, who may have receiv- 
ed a diploma from any regularly constituted medical institution 
within the United States, and provided further, that such per- Requisitions for License. 
23 
sons shall have been engaged in the practise of medicine with- 
in two years previous. 
By a supplementary act passed Jan. 12, 1826, any physi- 
cian or surgeon who may have graduated at any medical uni- 
versity, shall be allowed to enrol his name with any of the 
medical boards of the state, on producing his diploma, without 
examination.—Session laws of Alabama of' 1823-4. Page 
45. Do. of 1825-6,p.48. Do. of 1829-30, p. 11. (inthe 
State Library.) American Jurist, vol. 5, p. 396. Com- 
munication from Dr. Heustis, of Cahawba, Alabama. 
Mississipi.—By “ an act to amend the several acts rela- 
tive to the admission of physicians and surgeons to the prac- 
tice of medicine and surgery” in this state, passed January 27, 
1827, (the earliest act we have access, to) all licensed prac- 
titioners are directed, within six months, to record their licen- 
ses in the county clerk’s office, and such shall also be the duty 
of all persons hereafter licensed. A neglect of this, subjects 
to the same penalty as for practising without a license. The 
clerk to make a list of such licenses, and furnish it to the grand 
jury of each county, who shall present all such persons “ as of 
their own knowledge, or from information, practise physic 
or surgery without license.” All persons thus offending, shall 
be fined in a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, and be 
imprisoned not exceeding six months. The license of either 
of the boards of medical Censors shall be sufficient authority 
to practise within the state, provided the licentiate, at the time 
of obtaining his license, resided within the limits of the district 
where such license was granted. There appear to be three 
boards of medical Censors. 
By an act passed Feb. 4, 1829, on an application to the 
governor from ten or more persons “ who have received the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine from any university, or who is at 
the time a licentiate of one of the medical boards of this state,” 
he is authorised to grant a charter of incorporation under the 
title of the “ Medical Society of the state of Mississipi,” with 
the usual powers. 24 
Requisitions for License. 
Sect. 2. The present laws on the admission of physicians 
and surgeons to practice, “ shall not be so construed as to op' 
erate upon any other persons than such as set themselves up as 
physicians and surgeons, and who are so practising without a 
license, as directed by the several laws in relation thereto.”— 
Laws of Mississipi, tenth session, chap. 25. Do. do. twelfth 
session, chap. 71, (in the State Library.) 
Louisiana.—There have been four acts passed in this state 
relative to the right of practising physic and surgery, and the 
profession of apothecary, (in 1808-’16-’17 and—’20.) The 
following are the leading enactments. Two Medical Boards 
are established, one for each supreme judicial district, eastern 
and western. Each to consist of six members, including in 
the first, one apothecary. These are all appointed annually 
by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. 
Three of each board are a quorum. The apothecary is only 
to examine for the admission of apothecaries, and they are sub- 
ject to the same penalties and requirements of the laws as phy- 
sicians. The attorney general is directed to prosecute for in- 
fraction of the laws. The penalties for practising without due 
authority, are, for the first offence, one hundred dollars, and for 
the second, at the discretion of the judge, not to exceed a fine 
of two hundred dollars, and imprisonment for one year. The 
licenses of the above board entitle a person to practise in any 
part of the state. The licenses are to be recorded in the clerk’s 
office of the parish, (county) where they intend practising. 
Any Doctor of Medicine from any of the colleges or universi- 
ties in the United States, shall on producing the same, togeth- 
er wfith satisfactory evidence of good moral character, be 
admitted to practise medicine in this state. 
“ Nothing in these acts to be construed so as to prevent any 
person residing out of the county of Orleans from selling med- 
icine which shall have been plainly labelled by a legal apoth- 
ecary and sold by him.— Communication from Edward II 
D. of St. Francisville, Louisiana. Requisitions for Incense. 
25 
Tennessee.—A State Medical Society was incorporated 
by an act of the legislature, passed Jan. 9, 1830. Aboard of 
Censors is constituted by this act, “ to examine any person or 
persons who may present themselves for such examination, 
touching their skill in the practice of medicine and surgery, 
and if on such examination the board of Censors shall deem 
such candidate sufficiently skilled in the science and practice 
of medicine and surgery, they shall grant to such candidate a 
license to practise the same in the state of Tennessee. 
Sect. 9, enacts, that no qualification shall be deemed ne- 
cessary to entitle a candidate to examination, except that he 
shall be twenty-one years of age, and of good moral character. 
No penalties are mentioned for practising without a license. 
Transylvania Journal of Medicine, vol. 3, p. 441. 
Kentucky.—None.—Transylvania Journal of Medicine, 
vol. 3, p. 439. 
Ohio.—This state is by law divided into District Medical 
Societies, under the government of a State Medical Society. 
The district societies have the usual officers annexed to them. 
It is the duty of the Censors to examine and recommend any 
student who may offer himself for license, if found duly qual- 
ified. The other requisites are satisfactory evidence of good 
moral character, and of having studied three years with a reg- 
ular physician. If he has received a collegiate education, two 
years only are required. 
Any physician or surgeon residing in this state, who shall 
have received a license, or diploma, or honorary degree from 
some regularly organized Med. Society or college in this state, 
or elsewhere, or who can produce satisfactory evidence of hav- 
ing attended one course of medical lectures, at some reputable 
institution, or who shall exhibit to any of the above Medical 
Societies, satisfactory evidence of his having been reputably 
engaged in this state, in the practice of physic and surgery for 
three years previous to the period of this act taking effect., may 26 
Requisitions for License. 
on application become a member of any Medical Society in this 
state in the district wherein he resides. All persons licensed 
in this state, to deposit a copy of their license in the county 
clerk’s office, and until they do so, are subject to the same 
penalties as if they had neglected to obtain a diploma. 
No person, other than the members of the said Medical So- 
ciety, shall, after the 1st of July 1824, be permitted to practice 
physic and surgery in this state, and if he does, he shall not be 
entitled to the aid of the law in the collection of his debts, and 
moreover, shall forfeit and pay ten dollars for every violation 
of this act of which he may be convicted. If he practises 
without demanding or receiving a fee or reward, he shall be 
exempt from the penalties of this act.—Letter from Dr. E. F. 
Banning, of Canfield, Ohio, March, 1832. Act to incorpo- 
rate Medical Societies for the purpose of regulating the prac- 
tice of physic and surgery in this state, passed Feb. 26, 1824, 
received through R. Granger, Esq. 
Indiana.—In an act of die legislature passed Jan. 30, 1830, 
the preamble states that owing to defects in the law regulating 
the practise of physic in this state (in 1825) the Medical Soci- 
eties which now exist, have never been legally organized, and 
the provisions of that act are such as not to induce a large por- 
tion of qualified physicians to become members of any Medical 
Society, or sufficiently to guard against licensing unqualified 
men to practise medicine; to remedy which evils, it is enac- 
ted, that the State Medical Society, and the several district 
societies, shall, on causing the name of the society and of their 
officers to be recorded in the recorder’s office of the county, be 
considered as legally existing, and all licenses heretofore grant- 
ed by either of them to practise medicine, shall be considered 
as legally granted. The state society is empowered to organ- 
ize societies in those districts, where it has not yet been done, 
by the appointment of a president, secretary, and three Censors, 
who are to continue in office until the next annual meeting of 
the district society, and until their successors are elected. The Requisitions for License. 
state society is to meet annually at Indianapolis, on the Wed- 
nesday next succeeding the meeting of the legislature. The 
district societies are to meet on the first Monday in May, and 
such other times as they may appoint. The district society is 
composed of all persons of good moral character, resident in 
the district, regularly licensed to practice medicine, or who 
have been reputable practitioners in the state for two years 
next preceding the passage of this act, or who have graduated 
at any medical college in the United States. The societies 
are empowered to make by-laws and impose fines. 
Persons not regularly licensed in this or some adjoining 
state, or not at the passage of this act resident practitioners in 
this state, shall not be entitled after one year from the passage 
of this act to recover any thing by law for their services. Nor 
shall any person not a member of a district Medical Society, or 
practising physician, after the above period, recover any thing 
for medical services. Exceptions are made, as to females 
practising midwifery, and apothecaries. The last may recover 
for the sale of medicines.—Session Laws of Indiana, for 
1829-30, chap. 49, (State Library.) 
Illinois.—In order to form a board of Censors to grant 
licenses to practising physicians in the state, five districts are 
formed (consisting of adjacent counties.) The practising phy- 
sicians in each district are to meet and elect one Censor for 
each district, and the five Censors so elected shall meet at 
the seat of government on the first Monday in November, 
1825, and they or a majority of them, shall form a board for 
the purpose of examining and ascertaining the qualifications 
of those who may practise physic in this state, and grant a 
license to such as they may find properly qualified. It shall 
not be necessary, however, for any one to make personal ap- 
plication who may heretofore have obtained the diploma of 
any respectable Medical College, or the license of any respec- 
table Medical Society, and upon sending such diploma or cer- 
tificate to the said board of Censors, they, upon being satisfied .Requisitions for License. 
of the authenticity thereof, shall issue their license to such 
person to practise physic in this state. 
Sect. 2. After this meeting, when the resident practition- 
ers of each district have obtained the certificate of such board, 
they shall meet at such time and place as the Censors may ap- 
point, at which meeting they, or a majority of them, may au- 
thorise one or more of the body to examine physicians emi- 
grating to this state, or those wishing to commence the prac- 
tice of physician, and to grant them a license, if they deem 
them qualified. 
Sect. 3. If any person shall practise physic without ob- 
taining a license as aforesaid, he shall be deemed an illegal 
practitioner, and shall be debarred from recovering debts for 
such practise, and if he charge for it, he may be fined for such 
offence twenty dollars, to be recovered before a justice of the 
peace. Provided, however, that students practising under 
the direction of legal practising physicians, shall not be sub- 
ject to such penalty.—Session laws of Illinois for 1824-5. 
The above law approved, January 15, 1825. (State Library.) 
Missouri.—u The practise of physic in this state has not 
yet been the subject of any legislative action whatever. You 
may depend upon the accuracy of my information, as I have 
been a practitioner myself, in this town, for the last thirteen 
years.”—Letter from the Hon. William Carr Lane, of St. 
Louis, Missouri. 
New-York.—1. No student shall be admitted to an ex- 
amination by any Medical Society, until he shall have com- 
pleted, with some physician and surgeon, duly authorised by 
law to practise his profession, the term of medical study, pre- 
scribed in the following sections of this title. 
2. The regular term of the study of medical science shall 
be four years, but a deduction from such term, in no case to 
exceed one year, shall be made in either of the following 
cases : 1. If the student, after the age of sixteen, shall have 
pursued any of the studies usual in the colleges of this state, Requisitions for License. 
29 
die period, during which he shall have pursued such studies, 
shall be deducted. 2. If the student, after the age of sixteen, 
shall have attended a complete course of all the lectures de- 
livered in an incorporated Medical College in this state, or 
elsewhere, one year shall be deducted. 
3. The physician and surgeon with whom a student shall 
commence his studies, shall file a certificate with the presi- 
dent of the county Medical Society to which he belongs, cer- 
tifying that such person has so commenced his studies; and 
the term of study shall be considered as commencing, from 
the day on which such certificate is filed. 
4. If the term of study shall be intended to be for less than 
four years, upon either of the grounds mentioned in the ninth 
section of this title, the president with whom the certificate 
shall be filed, upon satisfactory proof that a deduction ought to 
be allowed, shall annex to such certificate, an order specifying 
the period, not exceeding one year, which, according to the 
proof exhibited to him, ought to be deducted from the term of 
four years, and directing that the term of study of the student 
shall be for the period that shall remain. 
5. No student shall be admitted to an examination by any 
county Medical Society, except of the county in which he 
shall have pursued his medical studies for four months imme- 
diately preceding his examination ; but if the student, during 
that period, shall have attended the lectures in either of the 
incorporated Medical Colleges of this state, he may be exam- 
ined and licensed, either by the Medical Society of the county 
in which such college is situated, or by that of the county in 
which he shall have resided, previous to such attendance. 
6. No person shall practise physic or surgery, unless he 
shall have received a license or diploma, for that purpose, 
from one of the incorporated Medical Societies in this state, 
or the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Regents of the 
University ; or shall have been duly authorised to practise by 
the laws of some other state or country, and have a diploma 30 
Requisitions for License* 
from some incorporated college of medicine, or legally in- 
corporated Medical Society, in such state or country. 
7. No person coming from another state or country, shall 
practise physic or surgery in this state, until he shall have fil- 
ed a copy of his diploma, with the clerk of the county where 
he resides, and until he shall have exhibited to the Medical 
Society of that county, satisfactory evidence that he has regu- 
larly studied physic and surgery, according to the requisitions 
of the ninth section of this title. 
8. No diploma, granted by any authority out of this state, 
to an individual who shall have pursued his studies in any 
medical school within this state, not incorporated and organiz- 
ed under its laws, shall confer on such individual, the right 
of practising physic or surgery within this state. 
9. Every person licensed to practise physic or surgery, or 
both, shall deposit a copy of such license with the clerk of the 
county where he resides, who shall file the same in his office ; 
and until such license is so deposited, such person shall be 
liable to all the penalties provided by law, in the same man- 
ner as if he had no license. 
10. No person under the age of twenty-one years shall be 
entitled to practise physic or surgery in this state. 
11. The degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred by any col- 
lege in this state, shall not be a license to practise physic or 
surgery ; nor shall any college have, or institute, a Medical 
Faculty, to teach the science of medicine, in any other place 
than where the charter locates the college.—Revised Sta- 
tutes, vol. 1. 
District of Columbia.—The “ Medical Society of the 
District of Columbia” was incorporated by Congress, Februa- 
ry 16, 1819. The society may elect five persons, who shall 
be styled “ the Medical Board of Examiners of the District of 
Columbia, whose duty it shall be to grant licenses to such 
medical and chirurgical gentlemen as they may, upon a full Requisitions for License. 
31 
examination, judge adequate to commence the practice of the 
medical and chirurgical arts, or as may produce diplomas from 
some respectable college or society.” After the appointment 
of said board, no person not heretofore a practitioner of medi- 
cine and surgery within the District of Columbia, shall be al- 
lowed to practise within the said District, in either of the said 
branches, and receive payment for his services, without first 
having obtained a license as above, under the penalty of fifty 
dollars for each offence. 
Persons regularly licensed in any of the United States, may 
practise when specially sent for into the District.—Act of 
Congress. Communication from Dr. Sewall. 
Michigan.—u The Medical Society of the territory of Mich- 
igan” already incorporated, shall continue to be a body politic 
and corporate, &c. Physicians authorised to practise may 
meet and form county Medical Societies, if commissioned by 
the territorial society for that purpose. 
These societies may examine students and grant diplomas, 
which shall be a license to practise. If they reject any one 
he is not to be examined again within six months, nor shall 
any other county society examine him, but he may at any time 
appeal to the territorial society. Any person commencing 
practice, without examination and diploma as before, is dis- 
qualified from collecting debts for such practice. All persons, 
except those resident and practising since 1819, until this 
time, to forfeit and pay twenty-five dollars for every such of- 
fence of which he may be convicted, before a justice. Excep- 
tions as to the United States army surgeons at the various 
military stations, as long as they are destitute of citizen phy- 
sicians at those places. 
The requisites for examination are, four years study with 
a regular practitioner after the age of 16, but one year after 
that age, passed in classical studies, may be allowed as part of 
that time ; so also attendance on one or more complete courses of 
medical lectures in any medical college, or institution, may 32 
Requisitions for License. 
be taken as equivalent to one year’s study, and twenty-one 
years of age. 
The certificate of the commencement of the time of study to 
be filed. Physicians coming from another state or country to 
exhibit satisfactory testimony to the Censors of either of the 
societies, thatthe course of instruction which they have received 
has been as full and complete as is required by the laws of this 
territory. They may examine such—and if found competent, 
license them. 
Licenses are in all cases to be filed with the county clerk, 
and its neglect renders the offender liable, as if he had no li- 
cense.—Revised Laws of Michigan, Detroit, 1827, p. 530, 
(in the State Library.) 
Florida.—By an act passed Dec. 30, 1824, every person 
who may hereafter be desirous of practising as a physician or 
surgeon within this territory, shall before he enters upon such 
practice, or either of them, file in the office of the clerk of the 
county court wherein such practice may be intended to be pur- 
sued, a diploma granted to such intended practitioner by some 
college or university, together with a certificate of his moral 
character; and if he has no such diploma, then he shall file a 
certificate of his having studied the science of physic and sur- 
gery for the term of two years, either at a college or under 
the auspices of a reputable physician or surgeon ; and any two 
of the judges of the county court, may, at their discretion, 
grant a license to such applicant to practise, as aforesaid. 
The penalty for contravening this act is a sum not exceed- 
ing five hundred dollars, at the discretion of the court.—Acts 
of the Legislative Council of the territory of Florida, pass- 
ed at their third session, p. 288, (in the State Library.) 
[&!=* The Committee regret that they have not been able to 
procure the requisitions for license in the state of Georgia.] Honorary Degree, 
33 
Provisions for conferring the Honorary Degree of M. D. 
NEW-JERSEY. 
The Medical Society of New-Jersey consists of four dele- 
gates from each of the district (or county) societies and of fel- 
lows, (who are all the previous, present and future presidents 
of the society.) 
This body has the power by statute to institute regulations, 
£c which shall again be approved by a majority of the whole 
number of fellows acting separately,” and according to these 
regulations, the Medical Society of New-Jersey may confer 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 
The following are the regulations as adopted May 11, 1830. 
1. An applicant for the degree of Medicinse Doctor shall 
he a member of the Medical Society of the county in which 
lie resides, and shall have practised physic for seven success- 
ive years, with reputation, within the state of New-Jersey. 
2. He shall produce satisfactory testimonials of good moral 
character. 
3. He shall read before the society, a dissertation on some 
medical or philosophical subject, and if after a competent ex- 
amination before the society by a committee appointed for that 
purpose, he shall be approved, they shall recommend him to 
the society for a degree. 
4. The candidate shall then be balloted for by the society, 
and admitted to a degree, provided he shall receive the approv- 
ing votes of three-fourths of all the members present. 
5. A diploma is to be granted, signed by the president, and 
all the fellows present. 
6. The honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine may be con- 
ferred without the above mentioned formalities, when recom- 
mended by the standing committee of the Medical Society of 
New-Jersey, and approved by three-fourths of the members 
present. 
7. All applications for a degree shall be made at a previous 
meeting of the society, but the degree shall be conferred only 34 
Honorary Degree 
at the anniversary meeting.—By-Laws of the New-Jersey 
Medical Society. 
CONNECTICUT. 
“The honorary degree of M. D. is granted by Yale College, 
only on the recommendation of a standing committee chosen 
for that purpose by the president and fellows of the Connecticut 
Medical Society, though the college has the right of granting 
this degree without such recommendation.”—Professor Tully. 
The Regents of the University, in reply to an application of 
the state Medical Society, resolved on the 31st of Jan. 1827, 
that “ they would receive with respectful attention, any re- 
commendations that the state Medical Society might make to 
them for conferring honorary degrees of Doctor of Medicine,” 
and accordingly the Regents have, during each succeeding 
year, conferred the degree on the recommendation of the 
society. 
NEW-YORK. 
The society, by various resolutions, have agreed that they 
will not nominate more than six in any one year—that the 
respective candidates shall possess moral and professional stand- 
ing, shall be of the age of forty-five years, or upwards, and 
shall receive more than two-thirds of the votes of the members 
present. By a resolution passed Feb. 7, 1828, the specific 
mode of nomination was directed to be as follows : 
“ The society shall, by open nomination, present the names 
of any number of physicians, and afterwards the names of the 
candidates, or such of them as each member shall please to 
vote, not to exceed six, shall be voted for on one ballot, and 
that so many as on this ballot shall appear to have received two- 
thirds of all the votes of all the members present, and those 
only, be the persons presented.”