31$ BRITISH PHYSICIANS. forget it. His constitution was so reduced that he might possibly have died under the most care- ful attendance ; but I have often regretted that I did not defer my journey in order to see him fairly through the dangers of his illness." The last winter in which Gooch resided at Edin- burgh, he formed an intimacy with Mr. Travers and Dr. Holland ; he was chiefly occupied in writing his Thesis de Rachitide, preparing for his examination, and exercising himself for that pur- pose with his friend Fearon, in colloquial Latin. It is to be regretted that the custom of ' examining in Latin should still be continued, particularly in Edinburgh, where the great majority of the stu- dents are very deficient in classical knowledge. Very few even of the best educated men express themselves with facility in Latin, and every candi- date for a degree might have the quantum both of his medical and classical attainments ascertained by a better test than a Latin conversation. In June, 1807, Gooch took his degree of Doctor of Medicine, and immediately afterwards made a tour in the Highlands, with Mr. Travers for his com- panion. During this excursion his health and spirits were better than usual ; he enjoyed the scenery, and the similar circumstances in which he and his friend were placed made them excellent companions. He always looked back to this ex- cursion as one of the most agreeable in his life. From Scotland Gooch returned by sea to Yar- mouth, and remained some months in Norfolk. Feeling the necessity of fitting himself for the practice of every branch of the medical profession, he resolved to pass the winter in the study of
