Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-10-21
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M PHYSINIANS

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10 PHYSICIANS.
Dear Brethren: uhh to address you on Q topic abou,
which ts has besa said OF vr,teu and one which
Of vital importance every member Of tho profession
In As much - Involves intess, VI small magnitude
IL d an important principl Jon which should govern
men In their in.sreours. Other. for IL Is that
invisible chord which bei1 bat intimate coonsc-
ton between mankind, and ~ DO very properly
aud appropriately denonin.i ! chord Of 6ro,h.riy
iors that b, that kidd and sse.ionste regard which
should exist between Us a. members Of tho same pros.
sioo That there great deficiency Of that true cour-
esy and respect which should EXIT between ind.
viduais OF the same VOCATION abundsuty evident
to the most casual observer. That there s greater
want Of apoper degree OF esccm among us than those
OF other csllngs, 10 manifest from the fact that Is
remark Of common observation. Why is this the case
my orsthrsnf Doss the fault lie with US. Is tho
case with men Of other professions occupations, Do
they not show that due regard and respect for those Of
their particular call.hgs
have heard farmers, for instance express, their views
On agriculture to each other freely aud without reserve
and have known them become 10 much interested aud
absorbed In the communication Of their ideas that Il
seemed they were uneoncious Of tho passing away Of
time; and appeared from the iruuness Of their
vefsat'on, that they could talk almost od innin Has
any person ever hoard Of medical gentlemen residing
10 the same community, carrying such friendly and
~
he has, he has heard more than ever have.
Tnis want Of uuanmity Of feeling ard sentiment, my
brethren Is . disgrace noble profession. will
san mat there are some unworthy members among
fraternity some not WORTHY take upon themselves the
name Of u. d. But shall ue this account excom.
mun'c.te thems Are; they not our brethrens Let
| then treat them a. such.
II becomes ones duty, Citizen to have kind feel
Jugs towards his !eow-men aud feel deep interest
In their welfare; aud conceive that under special
obligation to those Of the profession consequence
Of the greater ability and facility possess Of
municsting ideas those Of like vocatous aud from
the TACT that &c belong to the great brotherhood
But It Is to be regretted that there secon
ceited, penurous aud ibera in their views that they
seem TO think Of the promotion OF tho welfare Of every
other persons moro than those Of their particular
| calling.
This want Of courtesy, kind feeling and lberaty s
more particularly observable among tito members Of the
medical than those Of any other fraternity, have al
ready Indicated. They, instead Of giving q hearty vel
come to all who into the ranks Of the profession
we'll qualified for the practice Of medicine look upon them
with an OF suspicion and dsesPec aud show by their
actions il not by their words that they ae opposed to
them, aud that they intend their iuue against
these upstarts in "the healing art"
When the young physician with buoysnt hopes and
brilliant intellect settles In their vicinity they will
verse with themselves follows -" This feioe has
come here doubt with great expectations thinking
get some OF my practice part Of Dr. BIS and great
portion OF Dr.. C.s $50 far the others are concerned
care but little, but will try to take care Of No H.
will see that the upstar docs get any of my pac
tce have been here for time and have Gained
sion that they will not only believe. but d. every thing
say" The confidence Of some who pitronse ia 50
great, that believe they would put their arm into
the fire and suffer il to be burnt OF direct them
to do So" "This being nv standing in the community
therefore apprehcnd Danger; but for fear he might
become popular will, by my Ingenuity aud cunning use
secret influence against him. Of which neither he nor
my patrons will ever have enough sigsci;y suspect
gultyaud by this means can keep the fellow wish
him to remain. and at the same time pursue unblem
ished character" must observe great deal of csu
in ~ . I
neither speak too avorably too uuf.vorsbly"-
SHOULD speak in too complimentary terms shall be-
accused Of irony; and should say much in derogaon
OF his character there will arise in the minds Of some
prejudice in his favor thinking that actuated BY
Froper motives in the exp ession Of sentiments aud
therefore they without foundation" "But in speak
ing TO my ddnneh friends privately, Say great
many things against him which they report their
opinion, and in this way shall be free Of the mputaon
Of improper motives aud how the young Dr. will suffer
from this attack Of nine" intend treating him
politely when meet with him in company with Others
and will even invite him 10 my house rather than incur
the disapprobaton Of any of my friends by falling do
so." " But when / meet with him alone can be a 8
stiff as poker towards him. and 10 this way keep
him from asking me any questions on medicine and de
prive him OF the knowledge have acquired by many
of tedious practice aud close application Fur
thermore, no Is pretty clever fellow and doubt un.
derssnds we'll the theory of medicine ard all the late
improvements in the medical science. which not
very we'll posted and therefore might show ignorance
by converting with him, and lose in some measure nv
longstandng reputation TO the great JOY and consolation
oi tue young aeptant. Inls being my Impression,
will give the young Doctor chance expose igno
rance by avoiding all medical topics thereby showing to
him az well as those present. that should consider
conuescenson on my part TO converse medicine with
such comparatively ignorant fellow" "But should
have an opportunity TO expose Of his NAL practice or
any oil his erroneous views on any medical subject will
take special delight in doing for this will be the most
eiectual way in which undermine his growing re
pnatioD, and upon the ruin of which can erect an ed
tee which when the rain descends, and tho floods
come, and The winds blow and beat upon" IT, will remain
/ Ir nd iunnu Ia fha LNF
will bid defiance to the skill and ingenuity Of my profess
sionsl brethren"
But tits quite different with the true dgnifed and manly
Physician, who Is governed in his actions by the law Of
kindness and by moral principle. lie would suffer hi,
right 70 be cut Of, a right eye to be pucked
out, than he would be guilty of dishonorable ac
ton any Dure the character of even the most
ignorant OF his professional brethren Such an individual
puts proper estimate upon character because he has
some character himself Such will endeavor 10 seouags
snghten and instruct their less informed brethren when
ever opportunity presents itself aud shoul they be
cognizant OF any 10 their practice they will inform
them Of il in the kndest and most friendly manner and
not publish TO the WORLD recolecng OF US are
hfallble but the wisest and best liable to err.
1t is source of considerable qualification to me, my
brethren that there Of this character-,o who
would look upon undermined and unjust act with bor
and detestaon Such will look back upon their past
life with pleasure aud when they shall have arrived al
the gate OF death they will have pleasing Consciousness
Of well spent life aLd be inclined to curse the day
that gave them birth
In conclusion, my BRETHREN may unsuimty peace and
good will characteristic the members Of noble Profes
sion and let each Of influence against eyery
unkind and ungenerous action part oil s members
and then Profession will shake CIT the shackles b.
which it has been SO long fettered, and i'll rise 10
ridian greatness.
Yours, fruternalIy, MD.
October l6th