Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-01
MtSceIIaND.
From the alabama Republican.

AOV III III 1OUNG HI S1ClANS.
The science of Medicine, which now
gives wealth and consequence TO so many
OF its professors, was first practised by
slaves and women. This was when we
were in state Of barbarism-when dis.
eases were few and siiaple,, and their
cure, Of course, not difficult. But when
society became more refined, opulence
and luxury occasioned new maladies OF
IA more dangerous and mortal nature
Then Physic came 10 be considered a
LIBERAL science, the study of which was
transferred TO men Of learning, who had
leisute aud means TO attain knowledge
of il.
1t is confessedly science in which il
is no less difficult, than desirable, 10 ac-
quire, and preserve a reputation. You
will. therefore, trust, not consider it
prespmpuous in one who has followed it
for years, to tell you what he has found
from experience the surest method Of
obtaining credit and renown.
The first thing TO be done after you
have commenced the study of medicine,
is to get by heart goodly number O. the
most grabbed terms you can find: these
you will retail literally in all companies
where you think an accidental blunder
is in no danger of detection. This will
give people high idea Of your prof
cheney. The mind of man is so cousti-
tuted, as to be fond Of every thing mys-
FERROUS: it was knowledge of this fact
which induced the early professors of
our art, 10 wrap up their scanty profess
siona! learning in an outlandish tongue,
TO understand which accurately, requir-
ed several years study. The multitude
not understanding this jargon, took for
granted that The doctors were as wise
as they pretended to be-and thus the
faculty throve rapidly.
Never trouble yourselfto read great
number Of authors, as is done by some,
in order to Gull out the useful informa-
ton they may contain-But peruse some
writer who quotes great many; and
thus you will make yourself master of
their sentiments in cheap way draw
quotations from these, in order 10 show
your reading, whenever you get into
company less wise than yourself. 1t
will also be necessary to learn the out
lines of some of the most fashionable
theories: on which you may dispute as
often as you please.
Do not submit TO the drudgery of
learning the symptoms, causes and cures
OF diseases-get their names; and then
You will always have one ready to clap
on any case you may meet with when
You commence practice.
When you go TO the University, take
the private tickets, of a: least two pro-
fessors; for by this means, you will save
labour, and have more time 10 bestow on
your pleasures. Many Ounce has thus
been manufactured into a very respect
able an. D." unlicensed to STAY his fell
low men, without fear Of the law. Upon
returning home, do not spare airs, bu!
eudeavour by your carriage, and by find
ing fault with every thing to impress the
natiDes with an exalted opinion of your
knowledge and refinement Speak dog
matically; and should you chance to get
into an argument with Il brother of the
pestle, be sure to make up in noise and
voclteration what you may happen TO
lack in sound reason.
lfyou meet with physician who has
never gone through regular collegiate
course, however great may be his pro-
fessional skill, loudly proclaim him a
quack; for it is not just, that another by
mere dint Of merit, should enjoy an en-
inence, which all the expense lavished
on your own education cannot procure
you.
When you enter into practice, do not,
as solAe do. fatigue yourself and the pa
tent by asking multitude ofquestions-
but lay hold on one or two of the most
prominent symptoms-fit them with a
name from your vocabulary, and then
begin your attack, secundum artem.-
Should the remedy you employ produce
no good effect, do not lay it aside for
that would argue that you had been mis-
taken-but stick to il : and ifthe patient
die, you Can lay the blame on nature
butshould he recover in spite of you,
then you may rightfully assume the
whole credit TO yourself Neverrequest
the aid of another physician; as it would
be acknowledging him wiser man than
yourself; and you know it is far better
for the patient TO die than for you to lose
your reputation.
Some sages of medicine have recon-
mended special attention 10 the poor,
when sick; and the great Doct. Boerhave
used to say they were his best patients,
because God was their paymaster. But,
begging his pardon, this was a mistake.
No man likes 10 run risk for nothing