Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-11-24
FROM THE AuRoR4.


Medicine is one Of the most comPrehen.
sve hr inches OF science correct know
ledge Of the trpe principle OF the practice
Of physic, IS therefore an acquisition rare
~ accomplished, and of the utmost impcr
tafce tothe welfare of society hence it is,
'hat a skl'ul physician is justly esteemed
2 comfortable and honorable member OF the
community; bat an emprc is the wcTs,
BANG to every atiectionate fam ". The
Aa:' OF Virginia is at present most uufsrtu.
nateiY infested with empires, the leglsla
ture rs cuipable, and il is matter of Sc
rious regret, that a state so famous for the
production of important characters, useful
lrsttations, and wholesome laws should be
reprqacaed with an omission of such enor
m;;y. As the legislature will, in some short
u;oe, be organised for the winter session,
seriously hope the assembly will Justly est-
mate the importance of compelling every
physician to undergo an examination at
some pubic institution, or board of physici-
ans into his qualifications as a physicfan,
before he commences the practice of ply !
sic. Such law would be attended with
the Wrst lutary consequences learned
and celebrated physicians would then oc-
copy the grOand which is so ANONYMOUSLY
hii'ia;ained by smpirics and the only rea
scrs wilich have ever heard advanced as
J IL
following, which opposed to Il law of SO
m0cn general utility to the state, and even
10 the commonwealth, would occupy points
Of insienifcance.
In the frst place. it is said, that 2 physi-
cisn long engaged in practice, has grown
fuSty ~ points deemed r. quisite. III this be
the case, thar physician is also TOO rusty to
practice bot we'll regulated board of
physicians, woIlG assuredly exaHine a can.
didaie. On those points Only, which would be
irdispe nsabie with a cafe practitioner. H.
ihI@ PiAce ] may add, that no physician
~ IS qualified 20 practice, could possibly
object 10 an en- miuation, but Oh the contra
~, ~ these uDes of empiricism, would
NcY j. IS al occurrence Organization.
=, f0udiy---as t0 the times, aud expense
q. ending such regulation, boards Of ply
siaDs could he established ia different
yaft@ q the state, aud the officers Of The
irftautfuns ccaid meet once or twice annu.
All, a. stasors " the year, when phys ci.
aas ne 'sasi occupied IN predicting physicl|
tor the purpose Of examDiug those who wish
20 be licensed; and this certainly would be
but p trivial Inconvenience.
Ihirdy--ft Is SAID, that society would be
deprived of a class OF men, who from long
experience, and mysterious kind of de.
pertinent, has attracted the attention of
many persons, and are supposed 10 possess
sxclusiyely the art Of curing certain disea-
,, s, such As cancers, ulcers, the teeth, and
several others. This ] believe in a mum.
Der OF instances TO be true, but these men
profess themselves ADEQUATE |
20 the cure of all diseases, in this on exa.
they are found to be deficient, |
and on this point rests the objection Of the |
law. But II would be an easy matter for
such candidate to produce ostensible GER
Iiiicatcs Of his extraordinary success In the |
Of special disease and it would |
be equally as consistent with the spirit Of
iuch an insulation, to grant a chart diplo.
matte Of his skih IN shat branch exclusive
"
Fourthly lit is spprehended by some,
hat such law would deprive every per.
BON Of the liberty Of applying 10 neighbor
Ter any person not licensed) Tor medical aid,
and AeDce Is oppression would be felt most
Iorci5y ny the INDECENT; bat such clause
IS um requisite TO the accomplishment OF
The general design. in this place I beg
eaqe 60 mention that snch custom orieiI
lated n The carci,y Of physicians in new
nud has been perpetuated by me.
amorPhoaing many an honest farmer into