University of Glasgow Archives Hub

Scope and Content

• Minute books 1868-1981
• A list of presidents and honorary presidents, undated

Administrative / Biographical History

The Glasgow University Medico-Chirurgical Society was originally instituted in 1802 and is the oldest medical society in Glasgow, Scotland. It was formed by students with the concurrence of the professors of medicine in the University of Glasgow for the "mutual instruction of its members in matters relating to Medical Science". Members could be medical students or graduates of the University of Glasgow and members of the medical profession were elegible for election as honorary members. The office-bearers were an honorary president, a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer to be elected annually from amongst the members. A committee of seven was appointed for the general management of the society's affairs. The society met weekly to attend lectures given by prominent members of the profession, supplemented with clinical demonstrations and hospital visits. The Society has published its own journal Surgo from 1834. By tradition it was exclusively an all male society until 1970 after which all medical students were invited to join.

As one of the oldest student societies within the University, it was instrumental in founding the Glasgow University Union in 1890 following a meeting of the representatives from the main University societies, including the Glasgow University Athletic Club and Glasgow University Dialectic Society.

The Society was still functioning in 2003.

See www.gla.ac.uk/Clubs/Med-Chir

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Open

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