Dr John McLennan MD (Aberdeen),FRCP (Lond) (1801–1874) and the Medical School of Bombay that failed

Abstract

In 1826, Dr John McLennan was asked by Governor Mounstuart Elphinstone of Bombay to set up the first school to teach modern medicine to Indian citizens. He was expected to create textbooks on a variety of subjects in local languages and teach medicine to poorly educated students in their native tongues. Despite his valiant efforts, the school was deemed a failure and was abolished by the Government in 1832. Sir Robert Grant, appointed Governor of Bombay in 1835, analysed records pertaining to this medical school and concluded that the school failed since Dr McLennan was not provided the assistance he needed and as his suggestions for access to a hospital to teach medicine were not heeded. Dr McLennan provided able support to Dr Charles Morehead on his appointment as Principal and Professor of Medicine at the newly created Grant Medical College in Bombay in 1845. Dr Morehead dedicated his classic ‘Clinical researches on diseases in India' to Dr McLennan. Dr McLennan headed the Board of Examiners created to assess the competence of the first batch of medical students emerging from this College. The system of evaluation set up by him remains admirable. Dr McLennan retired from service as Physician-General, full of honours.

Keywords

Dr John McLennan first medical school in Bombay medical texts in native languages by Dr McLennan modern medical education in Bombay

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