The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-11-17
For the Fre Trader"


7 iifSSrs. Editors During the short time
that have spent in Ottawa, the various
features of the place have strongly attracted
my attention, and many Of them have al
foIdcd me pleasure. The valley IN which
the town is situated, when viewed from oi-
Their bluff, presents almost all tie elements
of quiet, picturesque beauty. Ottawa com
hincs also commercial advantages and mo
tive power for manufactures To an extent
which cannot fail eventually to render it an
important point,-a nucleus for a large
amount oftradc. Her merchants are shrswd,
enterpIi>ing and successful; her mechanics
are skilliul and energetic aud the surround-
ing country is surprisingly fertile. But, il
my rambles Of discovery about the place, |
have been impressed with the idt that the
physicians of the place did not manifest that
entire uuanimity and mutual cordiality of
feeling which is so desirable. | aludc, Of
course, only 10 the regularly educated mem.
bers Of the profession. may be mistaken
in thiS-tae impression may be erroneous;
still, have not been able to divest my mind
of il, influence. All the different members
! of the profession with whom have con.
versed have appeared to be men Of talent,
moral worth and elevated feeling. This
being the case, enc would naturally sup
pose that those characteristics would attract
them toward each Other and enable them 10
derive mutual pleasure ana benefit from So
cial intercourse. Permit me 20 make a few
remarks on this suhjcct-diSclaiming how
ever, any intention Of conveying the idea
that the physicians Of this place stand with
regard to each other in hostile attitude.
My past life has thrown me much into
contact with medical men; and know
them to be much-enduring, self-sacrifcing
and undetermined class. Discharging to
the bodies Of men a class of duties anala.
gons 10 those which christian ministers G:S-
charge to their souls, the physician encoun-
tiers labors far more onerous, cares more
harasSing, ingratitudc more base and de-
pressing, ignorance and miSconcepiiun more
fatal 10 his efforts than the clerical man.
There Is no. denomination Of meni in com.
munity who, III proportion to their public
abors and to their desire for public good, re-
ceive SO little public gratitude and esteem.
Veal know that one ofthe sharpest pangs
man can feels that which arises from the |
want OF appreciation Of his motives and be- !
neVolent feelings, when engaged in efforts !
for the good of others. Many a page of the |
physicians life is filled with this experience |
His calling is god-lke, his labors great, his |
reward stin'ed aud reluctantly rendered. |
lncon>ciou>ly influenced by these circum-
stances, he little by little comes to be jeal-
Gus OF his fame, and oitentimes seeks to anG-
ment both IT and the amount of hi, practice
by eXccptlonable means, and to the injury
OF ms brother physician. At the bed side
OF his patient he enlisiS all his better feelings
aud SympathieS, he watches by day and by
night with angel patience, he rallies his ut
most skill aud knowledge to the contest
against dSease-but on the other hand he,
not unSeldom, chersheS toward his neigh
boring physician an unmanly jealouSy--an
ungrounded dislike, and by secret inSinua
lions eudeavorS TO undermine his fame.
This is too often his fault, and rs a proles-
sional man, his only fault. Here, appre
bend, is one secret Of the want Of esteem
and confidence in the minds Of the people
toward medical men. 1t is not solely be-
cause quacks Gil the community with dstrust
toward the regularly educated physicians;
but because they themselves stand in rela-
ton TO each other in the attitude of hoS'il-
ty. They cW one dnOthcrS threats. This
is an irnoble contest and suicidal in lis re-
suits. Victory in such a contest wrcaths
the brow Of the victor with no desirable
crown; but with n badge Of shame. Ii
merely distinguishes him as being superior
in the use of humanity wea pons-detraCtion !
nsidious maevolence and secret treacheiy,
Boxers and athlete, pitted together for Gru-
tai strife, with sensual multitude around
them as abettors, do not present more pain
full and disgusting spectacle.
But there is contest worthy the efforts |
of this otherwise high minded cass--a con-
test lofty and legitimate in its character. and |
whose rewards are rich and pure. Physi- |
clans who enter into this arena striveto ex-
eel each other in theoretical requirements
in discriminating acutenessin diagnosis, and |
in the nice adaptation to each individual |
case of their curative agents. They strive |
to excel each otherin honor and manly feel
ing, in purity and loftineSs of motive, and in |
a delicate and refined regard for each others
rights and privileges. They strive to excel
in patience with ignorant and prediudiced |
patients, and in forbearance toward those |
invalids whose disease induces train Of
morbid thought and feeling. They strivet TO
excel in ability to soothe the restlessness
and anguish OF the sick bed by attentions |
the most delicate and by kindness the mos, |
grateful and uhwearied. They meet to-
gether as band Of brothers, imparting free |
ly to-each other and without arrogance the |
results of their experience, and from the |
light of their mutual friendly beaming coun.
tenances, each one derives strength and en-
conragement. Toward physicians of this
stamp people feel confidence, and do 10,
fear to entrust their lives TO their hands.
JUSTUS.