M.D.  An abbreviation for Medicines Doctor, Doctor of Physic.  At Cambridge, Eng., the candidate for this degree must be a Bachelor of Physic of five years’ standing, must have attended hospital practice for three years, and passed an examination satisfactory to the Medical Professors of the University,

At Oxford, an M.D. must be an M.B. of three years’ standing.  The exercises are three distinct lectures, to be read on three different days.  In American colleges the degree is usually given to those who have pursued their studies in a medical school for three years; but the regulations differ in different institutions.

MED, MEDIC.  A name sometimes given to a student in medicine.

  ——­ who sent
  The Medic to our aid.
    The Crayon, Yale Coll., 1823, p. 23.

 “The Council are among ye, Yale!”
  Some roaring Medic cries.
    Ibid., p. 24.

  The slain, the Medics stowed away.
    Ibid., p. 24.

    Seniors, Juniors, Freshmen blue,
  And Medics sing the anthem too.
    Yale Banger, Nov. 1850.

  Take ... 
  Sixteen interesting “Meds,”
  With dirty hands and towzeled heads.
    Songs of Yale, 1853, p. 16.

MEDALIST. In universities, colleges, &c., one who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.—­Ed. Rev. Gradus ad Cantab.

These Medalists then are the best scholars among the men who have taken a certain mathematical standing; but as out of the University these niceties of discrimination are apt to be dropped they usually pass at home for absolutely the first and second scholars of the year, and sometimes they are so.—­Bristed’s Five Years in an Eng.  Univ., Ed. 2d, p. 62.

MEDICAL FACULTY.  Usually abbreviated Med.  Fac.  The Medical Faculty Society was established one evening after commons, in the year 1818, by four students of Harvard College, James F. Deering, Charles Butterfield, David P. Hall, and Joseph Palmer, members of the class of 1820.  Like many other societies, it originated in sport, and, as in after history shows, was carried on in the same spirit.  The young men above named happening to be assembled in Hollis Hall, No. 13, a proposition was started that Deering should deliver a mock lecture, which having been done, to the great amusement of the rest, he in his turn proposed that they should at some future time initiate members by solemn rites, in order that others might enjoy their edifying exercises.  From this small beginning sprang the renowned Med.  Fac.  Society.  Deering, a “fellow of infinite jest,” was chosen its first President; he was much esteemed for his talents, but died early, the victim of melancholy madness.

The following entertaining account of the early history of this Society has been kindly furnished, in a letter to the editor, by a distinguished gentleman who was its President in the year 1820, and a graduate of the class of 1822.