Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-08-14
For the Leria5urg Chronicle
The Public VS.. the II. D's.

| " s"e A|e"tSo"S S"WNC".
The Public vs.. the n. D's.
Mr.. EDITOR: 1t is with great difidence
iha, l take pen in hand to write upon a
subject which might pros'ably engage the
minds Of some Of the wise Legislators who
yearly assemble at Harrisburg: and were
i, net that many years have passed since !
commenced reading the Journals. without,
ever seeing The suhjec, referred TO. would
not say word about it. But as no one
that know OF has as yet written a word
about incompetent Physicians, or the evils
they can work among credulous people. I
have resolved 10 act as pioneer. and with
your leave strike a blow at those quacks
who are sown broadcast over the land.
Last winter, on account Of pecun,ary
difficulties. the Faculty Of Brown Univer-
si,y resolved on change in their sy stem Of
educalion. A committee was appointed to
dIaw up report on the subject, of which
Rev. Dr.. Wayland, an eminent divine, was
appointed chairman. Tho report vas
handed in, and accepted. or course it was
an able one. My reason for referring to it
is. that in two words it gives the account
Of the life led by many Of the undergradu.
ates at our Universilies-,hey stay four
years in the place they pay their bills !;
they receive their diplomas, which they
probably can not read; and they 60 home
men Of " liberal educaiion." Now, in
what particular does the course OF study OF
many Of the medical students differ from
tha, OF the undergraduates! In this only,
that having more time. they frolic more
at the end Of year and hall. they 90
home. licensed TO kill and they do it,wirh
vengeance.
There appears in community. shin
gle with an NJ. DIS name how do the good
people know he is what he preiends to be
Does parchment with long list Of names
,''ereun'o attached, prove it! By no means.
He must put on knowing air. give bis
opinion Of things uncalIed for,and talk big.
and he'll get into practice. But let the man
oi unoblrusive merit come TO town, (who
speaks when called upon, and then bit to
the point,) and he is passed by as know
no'hing. After the big talker has killed
few, and no, ill then. people begin 10 seek
for the modest practitioner, but he has left
them, driven 10 SEEK a more hospital bic
reception among strangers. If the big
man's opinion is asked Of some patent me.
dicine Tor different practice from his own)
he replies, ut . hu'nbug-ihe ruin of
him who takes it," lIave you analyzed il,
Sir! Mo-" Then, pray. Sir, how do
you know IT'S humbug! (snd he is non.
plussed ~ need but casually refer to a
great blunder committed 10 a neishborine
to~n. where patient suffering with the
heart disease was treated for consumption,
70 show the fatal evil that may befaI a
confidIng public from the ignorance Of those
yclrpt physicians. Olher similar cases
will present themselves 10 the mind Of
every reader.
Nov. Sir. what is the remedy Why.
our Legislature should order a BOARD Of
real physicians Of known experience 10 be
appointed. who should examine every man
who proposes praclicing in The State; and
unless practitioner can produce certif-
cate from that Board. he should not be
allowed to practice. IT'S thus that in the
State Of New York they get over the hum.
bugging diplomas Of the medical schools,
and give real merit chance. Il works to
charm. Why no, adopt the plan in Perm
syIvania I OHE OF the PsoPLE.
GA communication in orr paper no,
long since. urged the formation Of a County
Medical Society. To the Scion Of the
Graft" and his professional brethren, wc
submit this proposiiioo-and would add,
that some ono must take the liberty to
name the time and place for The FRS, meet.
ing to Be held.-Ep. CHRor.