Manual Arts High School - Artisan Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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12 T H E A R T I S A N W ' 3 5 THE TRAIXIXC; ( )F COMMANDERS By Sidney Silver With the growing complexity of this civilization, the education of To- morrow ' s Commander is of ever-increasing importance. The luture changes in education may 1)e likened to the difference between the old country doctor and the modern specialized physician. Not many years ago a youth in America could graduate from high school, take the speci- fied course laid out for him in college, and graduate with a diploma which entitled him to ]iractice any type of medicine or surgery from the re- moval of tonsils to delicate brain operations. Today, the youth must pur- sue seven years of strenuous training, which includes every branch of medicine, after graduation from high school. In addition to this, he must practise for at least one year in a hospital as an apprentice. Here he may gain e :perience in all the channels of his chosen jirofession, or he may. as most young medical students of today do, choose one special l)ranch of medicine or surgery, and for the rest of his life, devote all his practice and study to this certain branch. The one general conclusion that can be drawn from the foregoing para- graph is that all trades and professions are becoming specialized, neces- sitating the training of tomorrow ' s Commander in one branch of his life ' s work. The ital question is. What is the cause of this change ; why is the country doctor being replaced by specialized physicians ; why. to be suc- cessful, must a youth limit his training to one special field? This question can be answered very simply by an illustration. Tn the era of the old country doctor, there were as many diseases, more epidemics, and as many dangers as there are today. However, little was known con- cerning the treatment and prevention of many of these diseases. The X- ray had not been discovered. The complex treatments, preventive meas- ures, rays, vitamins, etc.. had not l)een chanced upon as yet, and the old doc lost many cases which could have been saved today. With this lack of knowledge of specialized branches of medicine, the old-time physician could learn all there was to know about medicine in bis college course. Thus we see that the trend of civilization is toward a greater and better knowledge of our environment, making necessary specialists in every branch of science and art. Perhaps not many years from now. all capable boys and girls will undergo compulsory college education up to 21 years, as well as high school training. Many educators aver that this is not un- likely. P ut whatever may bap])en in the field of education in the future, one general conclusion can be stated — the day of the general practioner is over; the training of future Commanders will consist of a logical and carefully worked-out elementary education, an all-around enlightening secondary education, and a specialized, advanced, college education.

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14 T H p: artisan W 35 Senior A Cabinh:t Harold Labriola, President I ' .ii.i. LeDuc, B. V. P. Mary Charlotte Roach, (i. V. P. MAU(iAUKT l.AMli, SECRETARY DiCK WiLCOX, TrEASIRKR