Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-09

make men skilful and narrow-minded The Egyp-
tans had their specialists for each organ, and
the indications are unequvocal OF return towards
the state Of primitive Egyptian culture. do not
say that II is not better for mankind that our art
should be thus subdiyided but Il Is full OF danger
to the social and intellectual standing OF the pro-
fession. II is now, think, six years since, In q
written Introductory lecture delivered to my class,
pointed out distinctly to them the course which
medical practice was shaping for itself And every
succeeding year has confirmed what then said.
Each of the mucous membranes is already in
vaded by its exclusive manipulation; for the path
TO medical renown seems at present TO lead through
these slippery highways. One man passes his days
In cauterzing throats and swabbing ont bronchial
passages. Another explores the narrow track
from the fossa nayicuaris to the yerumontanum;
there he lives and moves and has his being. Ano-
ther studies science mainly through the valves OF
spectrum. Another selects still humber sphere,
and holds divided empire with the ascarides. IL
win not be many years, one may venture 70 predct,
before large part of the business of medicine will
be divided among not merely dentists, aurists, oc-
ulists and dermatologsts, but also among pneumo-
nists, cardologists, nephrolodists, hysterologsts
PSYCHOLOGISTS and the like.
The subdivision of labor ends In most cases In
the production of at least one cheap and perfect
article, namely, piece Of human machinery capa-
BILE Of doing thing WELL and good for little else
in many cases--stfened, cramped, anchylosed, in
all tho intellectual joints that give freedom and
power TO mankind. Now there is nothing that can
rescue tho profession engaged in such track from
degradation to the rank Of the mere mechanical
arts, but high standard of education and accom-
plishments Every teacher would wish to believe
that he had done something to maintain such
standard among those who have been the subjects
Of his Instructions,
And II, as my name was mentioned as teacher
/ may venture 70 allude for a moment to my own
aims, will say that while II has been my duty
to insist on many Of the most practical points In
medical education have always treated with the
contempt which it deserves that apathy and clown
lab spirit which would lead tho student of medi-
cine to guage his requirements simply by the cow
leechs test Of Immediate obvious, practical, mar
ketable utility.
There Ia something else beside the skilful hand,
and tho brain filed with the minute details OF some
speciality, necessary to bring the physician into
healthy and dignifed relations with the intelligence
Of a wide-awake community like ours. Depend
upon it, II our general culture does not in some
degree keep pace with that of our enlightened
clients, we shall become " servants as old Wise
man used to call his own professional assistants,
Wallets of the sick man. and tit companions for the
funkies that comb and brush him in health. And
%, at last the small specialist pedicure, or ancure,
will do his small service and be shown out by the
back door, as our predecessors the Egyptian crafts
men, when they had performed their office Of ma
king the necessary incisions for the embalmer were
driven from the house with their fee in their
pockets, and such convenient missiles flying about
their heads as the friends could lay hands on.
have pointed out a danger, but not without
suggesting remedy. In word, to keep our pro-
n IA L. l. 81
a. Pope bestowed upon it, fit calling for such men
as Halter as Arbuthnot, as Abercrombie, as our
professional brother now languishing in illness,
which he charms at once with philosophy and
song, we must give 1t every attraction which large
aims and liberal culture can add to its inherent
usefulness, 90 that we may call to 1t that nobler
class of minds out of which alone the true heroes
Of our divine science can be moulded.
Wait but moment longer while the little fash
] have sent up among your ater-dinner fireworks
drops its blue light in versihed sentiment:
As the river of New England,
That is flowing at our side,
No rock can stay from running
To meet the salt sea tide;
80 roll our arts deep current,
By many grateful shore,
Till life has reached the ocean
That pain shall vex no more
Az the mountain Of New England
In the far OFF northern sky
Looks down upon the river
That wanders murmuring by;
80 from her Handicapped turrst
Let solemn art look down
On fashions lying whisper,
And folly's idle frown.
As the bright star Of evening
Plays on the mountains crest
CHANGING from every streamlet
That sparkles on its breast,
SO let the heavenly splendors
0ftruth's white star be found,
Still shining fairest In US
While all is dark around.