New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-10

VIZ Luu tIN iohV"Ue es"acs'e' - W.
1850: Physicians, 4c,564; surgeons l9l; dent
lists, 2,923; spothecaries and druggists. 6,l39;
and patent. medicine makers 50. As TO the cor
rectness Of these returns the last item is at once
seen 70 be ridiculously small. With respect 10
the first. il lie highly probable that Of all the
rest of the patent medicine makers in the Union'
except these ifty.nine honest men, everyone was
reported among the physicians" From the
catalogues Of the various medical colleges, it az
pears that the aggregate Of all their alumni to
the close Of 1850 does not exceed $4,000 and
allowing 1000 for deaths, We see that the
remainder constitutes just twc-htths OF the num-
Der reported We must, of course, make some
allowance for the practitioners educated in
foreign countries and for licenses otherwise OBJ
tanned: but, with these corrections made, We md
that they will not make the proportion OF physi'
clans regularly authorized to practice amount to
one.halfof the number returned By the census. The
rascally presumption which characterizesq uackss
astonishing, and is illustrated BY the following
fact: During this las, summer a journeyman
tailor in this City was attacked with cholera
morbus, or a disease OF that species; be was
attended by regular physician, who made suit
able prescriptions, and, the medicines having been
taken according to direction, he was restored 10
health. The patient had by chance retained the
prescriptions, or copies of them, aud when he was
again able to attend TO his business, 1t occurred
10 him. that since the cholera was very prevs-
lent he had better give over his usual avocstion,
e. l.. - a. "a
certain cure for cholera Not more than
aweek elapsed before he had rented small shop,
plaearded it inside and out with huge advertise
ments Of "his'' medicine, and hung over his door
very large sign of "DoCToR -.
For the purpose OF putting down quickery, and
generally elevating the standard Of qualifications
for admission to the profession, and of excellence
among its members, numerous societies have
been formed. These are now organized every
where throughout the Union, consisting Of State
societies, each having branches in the several
counties and cities. Most of the State Legsla-
lures have passed laws providing That every prac-
titioner must obtain license; and in about half
of the States this license requires course OF, at
least, three years study. The Massachusetts,
Medical Society 10 the oldest in America, and was
incorporated in 17sl; but the first medical meet
ing was held in 1866, at New Brunswick, N. j.
The American Medical Association was pro-
jected in le47, by Convention, which recon-
me nded its organization as National Society for
the diffusion of medical science and the circulation
of the observations and discoveries made by ply
sicians in the United States. Shortly afterward,
its frat meeting was held at Philadelphia, at
which there was very large representation of
the profession from different sections of the Union.
The greatest interest was manifested in its pro-
ceediDgs; and when the second annual meeting
was held at Baltimore in 1913, there was much
more numerous attendance, the number being
about one thousand. Its subsequent meetings
have been held annually as follows: At Boston in
Ie49; Cincinnati in 1850; Charleston in 1851;
Richmond in 1852; New. York in 1853; and the
eighth and last at St. Louis in May, 1854. The
"TransactiOns Of each meeting have been pub
lished, and form large volumes, which bear
abundent evidence of the zeal which actuates,
and the ability which characterizes, the scientific
labors of its members. This association early
devoted special attention to an inquiry into
the modes of the teaching and examination
practced by the various medical colleges; and
adopted resolutions in favor of an improved and
Uniform system. Its principal recommendations
have been carried out by several Of the colleges,
and these consist in requiring increased attain
ments in the student before commencing the
study Of medicine, longer terms for lectures and
dssections, and a more rigid final examination
for degree by Board of Examiners who are
not teachers, nor pecuniarily benefited by the
number of graduates they may pass. The last
requisite thus properly separates teaching and
licensing to practice, and the profession is effec
tually protected from the admission of unworthy
members.
The medical literature of America will, in pro-
portion to its age, compare most favorsbly with
that of any nation in Europe. Its first periodi-
cal, called The Medical Repository, was COM
menced in New. York in 1877, and at present
there are at least twenty published regularly and
enjoying comfortable support. Probably more
than half of all the medical books are published
in Philadelphia which for many years will re-
main the medical metropolis Of the Union.
Among other matters relating to medicine
which require immediate reform, we need law
providing that no one who has not been duly
qualified, examined and licensed, shall be allowed
to act as an apOthecary without giving the pub
lie full and constant notice Of his lack Of such
qualifications. Hardly week elspses in
which we do not have to record case of
fatal mistake" by some druggist in compound
ing medicine. When druggist makes 81 mis-
take" resulting in death, he should be held