The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-06-16
The Physician.

The following extracts are -orn a sermon delivered
by Rev. Anson Smyth, occasoned by tie death Of
Calvin SnytA, NJ. d., of Toledo, Ohio:
"Le, he physician be a man of education os tho
rough knowledge of medical science; let him he
gentleman in manner, and let him possess pure
at characer and he is qualified for such discharge
his professional duties, will make HIN ike Luke
the Evangelist "thc beloved physican." lie fill
noble aud God-.ike profession. 1t pric,iced
by the Son Of God, who event about healing All
ner Of sickness amongst the people" 1t is profls
sion to which ignorant, he,ate or vi. should
be admitted. OF the different medical theories or
pl']aes have nothing now to say, willing for the
casion TO leave them with the divers Of theology.
But this am ready 10 affirm, that the mise. able
cmr sic who presunes 10 practice his quackery upon
the lives of bis fellow men. ought, by law, to be
ST aimed from running al large. OF all our temporal
interests, none can, for one moment, be compared to
those which entrust to the physician In his pro
fssional, social ana moral character human welfare
demands that he should stand above the reach Of Just
rerroach.
"Tho services which Physicians perform, claim s1r'
them the and gratitude of the world To save
hia to remove disease, 20 promote hcalth an,, happi
ness, TIE constant Efforts ct the Faculty. When
the first symptoms of illness are perceived,
thoughts, with more than electric speed, fy to
physician. The mere thought OF our k,ui, faithful
and Kind Doctor, dispes much of that alarm which
the occasion would prompt lie hastens to oar dwell
ling, and by tine@y remedies checks the incipieni
malady perhaps, conyinces us that without impof
taut a!d from medcine, nature wi' work her own re-
Covery from the injury she has received. a. tanohef
time all JneApC ctcd TO US, acute and Threatening ois
case enters the peaceful and blessed home circle-a
parent OF child, some dear is suddenly attacked
and at once, what agitation, what fear OF fatal re-
suit, every heart to throb, and every
nance % mantle with sorrow. Without delay the
family physician is summoncd--hc who never wants
Ia -ha tho ,ln.ly
examines the with care, discovers
Of the disease and administers agencies
Beside the sick he watches while danger continues
now quickenjng the l,n.uid pulse, cooling ihc
ievered brow, and, all torgetiu Of his pillow
visited, whispers to the patient words Of encourage
ment. Ere long, the stricken walks forth in
health, and j,y tevisi's his home. That ii.e TO
ny precious has been saved only b, the science,
, skill aud fidelity Of him who after is TO that
household, ''the beloved physician" DO YOU say
that such is not always the result that often the pa
tieut dies un Ter medical treatnentl True pu, this
does not a. all dctract from our indebtednes to the
profession. cit is appointed unto 90 die
At some period, earlier or later, All must sleep in
death The physician may do all ha, science, skill
and benev voence accomplish, and vet death ensue.
The disease may be Of occult character that its
diagnosis shall be beyond human research. II may
I've complex as to battle all pathologc anay yss. 1t
may De ot so vIruien type or have made such pro-
gress before treatment commenced, or such may he
the cons Iouai ieebeness Of the subject that
earthly power him from the grave. Ii may
be true 10 cases--I believe it is in many-that
the physician prescr ptons and advice nee lect
ed, aud death is the result of the obsiinacy ini
prudence OF the patient. BE the fatal termination the
effect Of cause or another. it is, in mote than
ninety-nine cases in n hundred wrong 10 npue blame
to him, who, night and day, with deep anxiety and
ccaseess effort, has battled with approaching death,
and striven 10 rescue the victim from It's grasp.
know Of no cruelty and Of ntanness surprising that
of those who forever ready to blame the ply sican
for every death that under his treatment. II
he he a man OF professional ambition, If he have
sensitive and kind heart, he will deepl, lament the
death Of his patient, without the promptings If the
cold and cruel criticisms Of those who know nothing,
and nothing, for the matter whereof they affirm.
''Do you say physicians are pad for their abors.
and therefore the world Is more indebted t. them
than merchants mechanics, who follow their cali
ings Tor the profits they afford! reply money
repay our indebtedness to medical skill and achieve
ment. You may, however, be for a single hour in
physica distress, spasms and e@cruciating agories
torInenting yom fraii body; but your physician has
tens to Your side and administers some quiescent
preparation which at removes your pains and
parox ysrns and you health and happiness.
Will money pay for such cue' For how much
would YOU remain all YOUR life in such state!
"Again, your precious child seems ready to fa!
prey violent disease but, by the skill and care OF
your physician, life il saved its health is restored.
Will money pay your Indebtedness to him who brought
back your dear from the gates oi death, and
placed j, upon your rejoicing bosom! Or. your own
life is in danger-your weeping friends greatly fear
fears, just and unspeakabe. To your agtated soul
there nay be fca, fI lookiag for Of Judgment" and
retribuon. But through the efforts OF gcur physician