The Royal Medical Society (RMS) is the oldest medical society in the UK. Known originally as 'the Medical Society' when it was established in 1737 , it was granted a Royal Charter in 1778. The RMS is a professional society engaged in the advancement of medical knowledge and provision of assistance to medical students and professionals. It is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has members throughout the world.

It is not to be confused with the younger Royal Society of Medicine of London.

Contents 1 Sale of library 2 Notable members 3 The Society Today 4 Council 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Sale of library

The RMS sold its extensive library, built up throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, at 3 sales at Sotheby's in London in 1969. Much of the collection was purchased by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.^[1][2]

[edit] Notable members

• Thomas Harrison Burder
• Andrew Combe
• William Cullen, one of the founders of the society
• Charles Darwin
• Benjamin Franklin
• Matthew Kaufman
• Marshall Hall, elected Senior President in 1811
• Joseph Lister
• Drummond Shiels, a Fellow and Senior President
• Sir John Struthers - physician, anatomist
• Stuart Threipland, (see Fingask Castle), physician to Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), President 1766-1770
• Jozef Venglos
• Hewett Watson, after whom Watsonian vice-counties were named, elected Senior President in 1831
• German Sims Woodhead, a former President

[edit] The Society Today

Although cadavers are no longer kept, the Society still encourages medical learning in the Society. The RMS hosts talks for students from physicians and surgeons from all fields each Tuesday. This year: reconstructive facial surgery, sports medicine and emergency retrieval medicine are just a few of the topics presented to the Society. After each lecture, members hold a private business meeting and is an opportunity for students to present their research to their peers.

Also on offer are practical tutorials (plastering, venepuncture) and the student-led exam tutorials at the end of semesters.

There are also many other events throughout the year: Freshers’ Week events (including the infamous Scrub Crawl); Hallowe’en parties; a Burns Supper and the Presidents' Annual Dinner - this year taking place in the Playfair Library in the University’s Old College.

The RMS is found above the Potterrow Union on Bristo Square, right in the centre of student life in Edinburgh. Members get 24 hour access to all facilities including: a lecture theatre, a well-stocked medical library, a computer suite, learning resource centre as well as a kitchen, TV area, pool table and a seating lounge. During the Edinburgh International Festival, the Rooms acts a performance venue under the Pleasance and hosts the Performers'/VIP bar (Brooke's Bar).

The RMS also has a fund for Travel and Study grants: awarded to members for research at home or abroad and for final year studies. The estate, is managed by the RMS Trust, which has charitable status.

The running of the Society is managed by the RMS Council - consisting of a Senior President, three Junior Presidents and 11 Convenors - each concerned with particular areas of the Society - listed below. The Council is also aided by Dr Edward Duvall, Treasurer and Mrs Elizabeth Singh, Permanent Secretary. The Senior President for the 273rd Session is Mr Scott Mather, a fourth year medical student.

[edit] Council

The council for the 273rd session is as follows:

• Senior President – Mr Scott Mather
• Junior President 1 – Miss Katharine Bingham
• Junior President 2 – Miss Kristina Lee
• Junior President 3 – Mr Derek Smith
• Senior Secretary – Miss Sarah Richardson
• Junior Secretary – Mr Andrew Brookes
• Business Convenor – Mr Connor Bowbeer
• Entertainments Convenor – Mr Stuart Connal
• Publicity Convenor – Mr William Cowie
• House Convenor – Mr Paul Gray
• Library Convenor – Mr Donald Wilson
• Museum Convenor – Miss Anna Cowell
• Computers Convenor – Mr Scott Clarke
• Annual Dinner Convenor – Miss Cat Sinclair
• Res Medica Convenor – Miss Gilly Fleming
• Permanent Secretary – Mrs Elizabeth Singh
• Treasurer - Dr Edward Duvall

[edit] References

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[edit] See also

• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Surgeon's Hall
• University of Edinburgh Medical School

[edit] External links

• Official website
• RMS page, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh

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