The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-18

them rather novel feature Ia the journalism
Of the day, in the shape of elaborate scientid,
treatises on medical subjects appearing in con-
secutive chapters in the advertising and news
columns of the daily and weekly newspapers Of
this city. These articles are from the pen Of
Dr. Hunter No. 1913 Broadway, the we'll kaewn
practitioner in pulmonary and bronchial dis
eases, and are distinguished from the empirical
programmes usually put forth through the same
medium by their thorough acquaintance with
the subjects treated OF, the simplicity and clear
ness OF their language, and the aemonstratve
force of the arguments employed.
With thess qualities to recommend them to
our attention, we caonot out weicoae the ap-
pearance of these articles as heralding an i'm
pertsnt and beneficial revolution in the tradi-
toBs and practice OF the medical profession.
There is no pursuit in which the spirit of old
fogyism has, in spite of the enlightenment Of
the age, managed more completely to trammel
and subdae the human intellect. With view
to unity, like the Remaa Catholic Church, it
maintains it's hold upon the almost snpersti
tious awe and reverence OF ignorant and unreal
soriDg minds by involving the little of truth
that it possesses in technical phrAseology, de-
rived from classical sources, and consequently
ipcompTeheusible to the multitude.
But few men belonging to the craft-for
such more correctly may be designated the
medical profession have had courage to emau-
| cipate themselves from the code Of conven-
tional as well as collegiate regulations which
has been built up for it's protection. Like
the novitiate of the Egyptian priesthood, its
my steres and its privileges could only become
accessible by prescribed track, aud after a
long, and often painful probation. There has
been hitherto no short cut to professional sue
cess and fame recognized within its canoDs
Any man departing from the beat n road laid
onwA tor his guidance has beea Invariably
treated as an outcasr, and stigmatised as a
quack The result has .neen, that whilst the
medical profession has been reduced to close
monopoly, it has extended but little its sphere
of knowledge, and has consequently conferred
less benefits upon the human race than it might
otherwise have Done.
One of the barriers by which the profession
has eDdeavored to feoce itself around, has been
the prohibition or encouragement neld out to
all attempts on the part Of its members to enter
into direct communication with the public. A
medical man may addr, IS himself through the
medium If a book, ard under the cover OF
tecbnicalities to his own profession, but he
natural intelligence OF the unnitiated mem
bers Of the community, lest the arcana of the
healing art should cease to be, like the Eleusy-
man my steries, an exclusive and profitable
possession. The effect OF this jealous and mar
row minded sy stem on philanthropic and high
spirited men may readily be conceived They
Lave had to chafe in silent Indignation under
restraints, the direct bearing of which has been
to protect the privileges of the senior members
OF the profession, and keep down and discour-
age as much as possible all evidences of rising
talent.
We are rejoced to find that one man, aud
that practitioner, whose professional merits
and skill cannot for moment be questioned,
has had the moral courage TO break through
the traDmels imposed upon him by tae old
| routine Of his art. DR.. Hunter wisely, and in
| time, arrived at the conclusion that if
| snch requirements rs he possessed were
worth anything the more extensive
the circulation he gave to the results
of his researches md experience the
greater the benefits he would not only confer
upon himself bur upon the community Be-
tween he limited publicity afforded bin by the
usual professional resource of book publication
and that offered by the newspapers il is not
surprising that be chose the lat ser Il present
ed the advantages Of rapidity, comparative
ness and popularity, objects which to man
ambitious Of fame in his profession, were the
IT adiest and suress clements of success
To appreciate the results of DR.. Hunters ex-
per NEXT We must refer back to the history of
his csreer. After graduating at one Of the
great Universities in Europe aud taking de
grees at other European colleges, this
gentleman established himself in New York
in the year 1851; but according To
the usual practice of medical men be
carefully avoided making himself koown to
the public through the medium of advertise
ments. During the fest tTo years of bis resi-
der ce here be spared no forts 10 iutroiuce
into public favor bis peculiar method OF treat
| ing pulmonary aad throat diseases Find
| ing but little encouragement, h. vent to
| Washington, where be would also have
met with hut little success out for the accident
of friend VINO had become acquainted with
bis system. inducing him to puolish an etapo
rave article IN exp ahaCion OF t in one "
the newspapers of that city The effect Of
This publication was Immediately to btiug III
Doctor patieots, aud TO enable him 10 exnibl,
on larger scale the successful result. OF his
mode II treatment. The reputation which be
scquted 10 this way procured him pressing III
vitatinns 20 return 10 New York, which. ~
though nak'Dg n handsome income in Wan.
inetou. he was at last Induced 20 do On set