The Journal of . ~ l //yandGynaecology of the British Empire II VOL. LXI, No. 3 NEW SERIES JUNE 1954

ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS

SILVER JUBILEE-JULY 1954

THE Silver Jubilee of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is being celebrated in July of this year. In the short span of the twenty-five years since its foundation the College has secured for itself a position of power and responsibility. Its foundation provided for the first time a body fitted and able to speak with authority on all matters, special and public, relating to obstetrics and gynaecology. It occupies a distinctive place amongst medical and surgical colleges in that it is the sole such corporate body in the Commonwealth. Its widely representative basis is evidenced by the fact that its 1,466 Fellows and Members include practically all the University Professors and Consultants in the subject in this country and the Common- wealth. Thirty-eight per cent of its Fellows and Members practise overseas.

Since its inception the College has been actively engaged in efforts to raise the standard of the art and science of obstetrics and gynaecology. In these fields it has achieved a widely-recognized success. By laying down the minimum postgraduate training for candidates for the Membership-now three years in recognized appoint- ments-the College has succeeded within one generation in raising the standards of specialist practice throughout the Commonwealth. Its Membership is now recognized by electing bodies as a qualification required by candidates for specialist and consultant status.

Further, in its desire to contribute to the raising of the standard of obstetrics in general practice the College instituted in 1934 the D.Obst.R.C.0.G. again demanding a minimum period of postgraduate experience. Since then 2,468 practitioners have obtained this hall-mark of special experience.

In many other directions the College has exercised its influence. Through its representation on the General Medical Council and the Central Midwives Board it has been concerned with the standard of training of the medical student and the midwife and its advice is sought by the Ministry of Health and other public bodies.

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The Editor has pleasure in calling the attention of readers to two volumes written specially to mark the occasion of the Jubilee. Twenty-Jive Years: The Story of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 1929-1954 has been written by Sir William Fletcher Shaw at the invitation of the Council of the College. The publishers are Messrs. J. & A. Churchill, Ltd. The other volume is: Historical Review of British Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1800-1950, edited by Professors J . M. Munro Kerr, R. W. Johnstone and Miles H. Phillips. Senior members of the College contribute the articles to this volume, which will be published by Messrs. E. & S. Livingstone, Ltd., in July.

THE APPEAL FUND

Those with inner knowledge of the College have become increasingly aware over the years that its activities are gravely handicapped by the cramped conditions under which these are being carried out. These activities have for long outgrown the house gifted by the first President of the College at Queen Anne Street.

In this issue of the Journal there is an illustrated folder in connexion with the Appeal which is being inaugurated on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee. The Editor is aware that many of our readers have from other sources received notice of this Appeal but he trusts that the illustrated folder will enlist the interest of others who may be induced to contribute their active support. The aim of the Appeal is the raising of funds for the purchase of a site and the erection and endow- ment of the building now urgently required.