Notes

Abstract

THE desire has been widely expressed in University circles in Edinburgh that the Curators of Patronage, with whom the appointment to the chair of medicine rests, should offer the post to Prof. Osier, of the Johns Hopkins University, who is well known as a teacher and clinicist of the highest scientific eminence, and whose acceptance of it would greatly strengthen both the systematic and clinical teaching in the University. It would appear, however, that the Curators have no choice in the matter, but are bound to advertise every vacancy, so that the far more satisfactory and dignified method of appointment by invitation is necessarily excluded. Nevertheless, it is confidently hoped that Prof. Osier may be induced to send in a formal application for the chair, since it is certain that his claims would receive every consideration from the present Board of Curators, who have more than once, on recent occasions, shown that they are superior to merely local considerations, and that they have regard in making these appointments solely to the best interests of the University. Prof. Osier is a Canadian by birth, and although he has for many years successively occupied the important chairs of medicine in Philadelphia and Baltimore, he has, we believe, never renounced his British nationality. His appointment to Edinburgh, although it would be felt as a serious loss by our kinsfolk on the other side of the Atlantic, would doubtless be considered by them, and especially by our Canadian fellow-subjects, as a graceful recognition that we are one people bound together in science, as in politics, by common interests, and that we are prepared to welcome the best man from whichever side of the water he may hail. Applications for the post, with testimonials, must be lodged with Mr. R. Herbert Johnston, Secretary to the Curators, at 66 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, on or before April 14.