§ Mr. Courtenay moved for leave to bring in bill for the better regulation 397 of Surgery throughout the United Kingdom. The objects of the bill were, first, to provide that no one should be allowed to practise surgery without a testimonial from some of the regular colleges of the United Kingdom; secondly, that no more pecuniary fee should be demanded for such testimonial than had heretofore been usually paid; and, thirdly, that the laws should be repealed which precluded any surgeon from officiating in the hospitals and dispensaries of Ireland who had not obtained a testimonial from the college of surgeons in that country. Such being the provisions of a measure, the necessity for which, with a view to save the people from the danger of unskilful practitioners, was indisputable, he trusted that no opposition would be made to his motion.
§ Mr. Lockhartexpressed an opinion, that if this bill originated with the surgeons, it must have a monopoly in view. The effect of it would be, to injure a profession which ought to have too much pride, to entertain any apprehension of the competition of pretenders.
§ The motion was agreed to.