The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-13

|
| GIDEON & co. Washington, d. C. s
From the Boston, Transcript.
| The Physician.
| Among all the members Of the learned profess
sions the medical fraternity stand eminent for
the amount Of influence they exert over those
with whom they come i'll contact. Indeed, the
physician is inferior to none in the power he ex-
erts for good or for evil, over u community who
are drawn to him by the ties which hts self
sacrificing attendance upon the sick bed-in sea-
son and out of season-and the exercise Of that
charity which, like the good Samaritan, pours the
oil and balm of consolation into every wound,
have wrought for him. out Of the better and
kindlier feelings of our nature. This may seem
bold assertion at the present time, when every
prejudice that may diminish the respect once
gratefully accorded the profession is paraded be-
fore the public, but it is nevertheless true. The
very nature Of the physicians office brings him
into more intimate association with US than re-
suits from the performance of any other duty. 1t
is not to the strong and healthy that he il called,
but when weakened and enfeebled by disease we
| claim his aid, he comes as the messenger OF good
tidings Of health; to him unfold our troubles,
in their most secret and minute details, and en-
trust the shattered vessel to his keeping as to
skilful pilot, who will conduct us in safety over
the rocks and quicksands of disease, to the haven
of health Can more honorable or ennobling
occupation be found; and is not the high-minded,
educated, and conscientious physician as worthy
of our respect and confidence he who ministers
at the altar? Both set apart from other bust
ness, and both require purity OF character
welcome guest at every board, the barriers which
divide society into coteries and artificial classes,
unfolding their doors at the 'sopen sesame" of
his kindly acts his presence is always hailed with
! pleasure, and we make him the recipient OF our
most sacred confidence. As we trust our bodies
l. hnmIt &Nr
sympathy and advice in troubles. Secrets
upon which depend the happiness or misery OF
families our own individual cares, and our most
trihlng ills are alike poured into his ear, into
repository safe and secure.
To answer the ever-varying calls upon his at
tention, demands degree OF discrimination that
can only be acquired by long and persevering ap-
plication both to the principles of his art as found
in books, and a proper appreciation OF them as
applied to the forms of actual disease His life is
series of demonstrations, wherein he proves the
power of his remedies over the different maladies
which affect the humun frame; to check their
ravages; to allay their pains; and restore health
and strength to the deblitated and enfeebled sys-
tenn The activity of mind engendered by this
constant operation of the faculties, greatly en-
larges the horizon of his mental vision. Less
trammeled by routine than the members OF
the other professions he extends his information
through all science; and becomes, as it were,
cosrnOpolite of the intellectual world-at home
everywhere Said Rosseau of the medical men
of his day, Sin every country they are the men
most truly useful and learned;' and DR.. Parr, the
celebrated phologist, remarked, that Gin crudi-
| ton and science, in habits Of deep and compre-
hensve thinking, pre-eminence must be assigned
to physicians over all other professional men"
The life of the physician is a record of early
struggles, mid-fe successes, ending, when he has
been true to himself, in the victory OF ripper years;
and the experience of all proves that eminence is
to be won in no other way than by patient perse-
yerance, and assiduous culture of the moral, men
tai, and social qualities. To be successful prac-
titioner of medicine requires many qualifications
| in addition to mental accomplishments. A con-
slant checrfuness of demeanor, gentlcness OF man
ner, patience of the weaknesses of the sick, and
affabilty of department. must be united IN an in
dividual to embody our highest conception OF the
tssgood physician" We all of us, no doubt, have
our ideal of excellence in this respect, nor are the
illustrations by any means so few as the enemies
| of the fraternity would have suppose. In
profession so numerous, the practice of which
holds out to its vOtaries many rich rewards, not
only Of a pecuniary nature, but also those price,
| less tributes of esteem and gratitude which foW
in upon the evening of life spent in good deeds,
it would be too much to expect perfection in all
| its members. If unworthy men have by any
means obtained admittance within its ranks; 1t is
| a misfortune, but by means a fatal one There
A are examples in modern times without number,
yea, are occurring daily, and will continue to OF
part of physicians ever served to carry the re-
putation Of the profession in it's most honored days
to it's highest point. The history of every epide-
mic is a record of the unfinching courage of me-
deal men, who have remained by the beds of pes
thence and disease when the instinct of self pre-
seryation has proved more powerful than the
strongest ties of affection or birth, and those
whose duty and privilege it should have been to
solace the departing hour have fled in dismay.
How many pillows have been made soft by the
/ e Al, how, y1o,<
signs have the dying breathed into his ear alone,
and how many messages to friends and those dear
Nv beloved have been entrusted to his keeping' Is
! Il not enough of glory and honor thus to have
mitigated the pangs of suffering humanity; to feel
that by the cords of such sympathes the strength
| of which the world cannot measure, ne is bound
to those to whom he ministers?
| The physician should remember that his victo
| ries are rather those over the affections than
gained ut the point of the sword on the crowded
battlefield of the worlds strife. So long as by
any honorable means he can make himself neces-
sary to the sick, so long will he be able to main
tain his position against all opposition. Let him
h. also exhibit towards his compcers full share OF
that courteousncss of dem,canOr which marks his
| intercourse with his patients; frownng upon
every attempt to degrade his art into craft, and
rejoicing in the successes of his equals. Thus
| will he prove to the world that he IS worthy of
| his vocation: true to himself he will outride the
storm which prejudice and quackery are striving
to raise and in the calm of the future, respected
and beloved by all, enjoy the honors he has won.
His name shining with the effulgence of good
deeds, will descend as a precious legacy to his
offspring, and the memory of the good physician
be ever cherished and kept bright.
NEW ORLEANS OUT OF TowN.--The New York
Journal Of Commerce says:
| "The New Orleans papers say that their city
has rarely been more completely deserted than at
the present time. During the past few weeks a