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| History |
The first attempt for the introduction of a proper medical
training was undertaken by Lord William Bentinck. As a fruit
of his effort and long persuasion, government order was passed
to set up a medical college in Calcutta which is known as
Calcutta Medical College. As the resolution was passed on
28th January, 1835, this day is observed as the Foundation
Day of the College. What we see at the premises of Calcutta
Medical College and Hospital, did not exist during the early
period of its inception. An old house at the rear of the Hindu
College was converted for use as the New Medical College.
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Arial view of the premises in 1934 |
This was used till the premises of the Petty Court Jail, the
site of which included a part of the present building housing
the Physiology and other departments and a part of the field
to he north of Administrative Block, was ready for use. The
first batch of the students numbered 50 and they received
stipend from Rs. 7 to 12 per month. The period of the study
was for four years on completion of which, they were to appear
at the final examination conducted under supervision of the
committee of the Council of Education. The successful students
after passing the final examination received certificates
of qualification to practise Medicine and Surgery, and would
receive pay as Native Doctors starting with Rs. 30 per month,
for being employed under government. With this, the books
and apparatus of the abolished Native Institution was made
over. |
H.H.
Goodeve - first Surgeon Professor |
A group of illustrious band of teachers started conducting
classes. The Head of the Institution was designated as Superintendent
and then as Principal. Till today, this practice is being
followed. There came a professor in Medicine and Anatomy and
another professor in Chemistry and Materia Medica. Two skeletons
were purchased through M/S Bathgate & Company at a cost
of Rs. 1500. The anatomical preparations were imported from
Engaland. MJ Bramley was the first principal of the college
and
HH Goodeve was the first Surgeon professor. |
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It
was Surgeon Goodeve who tried to convince the superstitious
citizen of the need of dissection for cause of treatment.
It was on 10th January, 1836, Pandit Madhusudhan Gupta,
Babus Uma Charan Sett, Dwarakanath Gupt, Raj Kristo
Dey and Nabin Chunder Mitter secretly followed Dr. Goodeve
toan outhouse of the college building and with the hands
of Madhusudhan Gupta started dissection of a dead human
body. This great day was recorded in the Annals of Western
medicine in India when Indians rose superior to all
prejudice and superstition and boldly flung open the
gates of modern scientific medicine to their fellow
countrymen. |
Madhusudhan
Gupta - The First Student |
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