Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-07-05

"The Beloved physician."-A discourse de-
livered in Norfolk, Conn, by the Rev. Joseph
Eldridge, at the funeral of the late Benjamin
Wech M. d., of the same place, has been re-
ceived 1t seldom falls to our lot to read eulo-
gies pronounced by the clergy upon the of the
medical procession, and particularly one that
possesses so much character and truthfulness
as the one now before us. A just appreciation
of the medical profession by the clergy is not
| common; and when we see that the physicians
services are sometimes requited, and that there
is one of the clerical profession who has honor
and intelligence enough to award him merit
and disseminate just sentiments among the peo-
pie, we must confess that it is powerful slim.
illus to increased efforts in our profession.
Some portions of the discourse are so truthful
and applicable, that we quote freely from it
hoping that others, besides medical men, will
read it. and give it their consideration. In speak
| ing of the duties of physicians, he says, sThe
services necessarily impose upon him severe
exertions, bodily and mental, such as subject
him to many privations, and much hardship
! He must unavoidably be irregular with respect
to food and sleep; he has no command of his
time, is subject to every body's call; when sum-
momed, he must 90, whether fresh or weary
whether it be night or day, whatever be the
state of the roads or the weather. He cannot
be excused from rising from his bed tonight
after having just comfortably deposited himself
in it, because he entered no bed last night, nor
| it may be, the night previous. With the most
painful and distressing scenes he must be daily
conversant; he must pass large portions of his
time in the sick rooms, discharging disagreeabe
Offices; must be familiar with wounds and dis
eases. with the sufferngs of the sick, and the
mortal agony of the dying. HIS services are
N
cannot be. He is expected to be no respector
of persons; he is every mans servant he is
commanded as readily by those who have no
means of compromising him, as by those of the
amplest resources. After much reflection upon
the subject, am settled IN the conviction that
more gratuitons labor IS performed by physicians
than 6y any other class an the community 1t
has come to be sort of common law that they
must do it. If they should decline visiting a
sick family, on account of its poverty or inabili-
ty to pay for the service, many would hold up
their hands in establishment and horror, who
themselves would not render the slightest assis-
lance in the very same case. Even those who
have the ability and intention to pay their other
debts, are often content to suffer the honest de-
mands of their medical attendants to run along
indefinitely. The per centage Of ui1requited
labor performed bp this profession is uery large.
Why should it be so? Their time, their strength,
and their skill, are their own. Nevertheless,
much of their time, strength and skill, are CIV
en- away. Then there is much in their services
which cannot be reqnited, for which money is
no adequate remuneration. For the weary
miles they travel, for the time spent with the
sick, for the sacrifice of sleep and physical
comfort, they may perhaps be paid-pecuniary
compensation may possibly cancel claims for
such services But what shall we say of their
frequent solicitudes for the Size in critical ca
ses; their overwhelming anxiety when precious
and valuable lives hang on their decisions2 sohen,
in the struggle with disease, they find their efforts
baed; uclat shall zoe say of this ,cear and tear Of
sensibigay and feelingl WIZ a fer dollars
and cents cancel such de5ts7 They are not can
celled-they neuer can be.