Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-27
The Disagreement Of Doctors.


There is an old bewildering nquiry-doubtless
invented by the most long-headed physicians Of
his day to the effect who shall decide when
doctors disagree? 1t implies that the contin-
gency is extremely rare, but that when it does
occur, there is nothing more for the poor pa
tlent to do than to settle himself into state Of
pious resignation, feeling that because the great
doctors have two opinions about his case, the
real state thereof is inscrutable to mortal wit.
We discard both branches of the inference.
The doctors do disagree, and they are disaaree-
ing all the time. School clashes with school,
and new lights are continually rising, even when
{ the san DIS Of life are nearly run out" The
treatment Of every important disease varies in
the course of few years, because the theory
of its origin and nature undergoes continual
modification. We like this, on the whole, be-
cause it shows movement and gives hope for
progress.
We need not review the many inconsistencies
of medical treatment which have had the sane
ton of eminent names within few years.
We have been told that opening the eyes in cold
water was an excellent specific for weakness,
and also that it was the most indiscreet practice
that could be resorted to. One physician warns
against late eating any way, and another says
the time is nothing if the proper quantity is
not exceeded. Many statistics are accumulat-
ed to show that unclealiness is injurious to the
public health, and other statistics prove that
&C the great unwashed'' have passed through ep-
idemcs with peculiar immunity. A large part
of the scientific world have insisted that cold
water bathing was invigorating, because of its
removing deleterious matter from the skin
while an obstinate part of the same world have
maintained it to be injurious, inasmuch as i
deprived the skin of the natural oil estental t.
its healthy existence. Everybody was agreec
that children ought to be warmly clad; whel
everybody was astonished to learn that Their
was child living in Ireland, vigorous and hap
py, without a particle of clothing.
But we had supposed that there was on
maxim which, in the midst of all these incon
sstencies, could not and would not be question
ed, namely that it is every ones duty to keeI
his head cool and his feet warm. But now We
find that a prominent English physician denies
even this He says that the exposed parts ot
the body induce thther an increased circulation
of the blood, in order to keep up the requisite
animal warmth as witness the red arms of the
milkmaids and the red faces of coachmen, &c
Hence, says he, the hot-climed Hindoos swaddlt
AMP the head, leaving the legs and feetancovered
and among them determinations of blood to the
brain are very rare, He therefore recommends
apoplectic persons to wear wigs or thick caps OF
the head, and shoes and thick stockings on thu
feet. What will the majority of medical m I
say to this heresy?
Now in the midst of these disagaoements o
the doctors what is the generality of mankinC
to do? We answer, let every one keep his eye
open as to his own actual experience, and b
guided in a great measure by that What
one mans meat is another mans poison" ha
been found to be true; and who, therefore
knows his meat from his poison but himself
We admit that about the most disagreeable pei
son in the world, is the one who is forever talk
ing about his bodily ailments, as if his constitu
tion was the Constitution of the United States
But, for all that, as long as we have bodies AM
their condition is the condition of the bulk 0
our happiness and usefulness in this world,
certainly becomes us as rational creatures,
exercise steady and intelligent supervision owe
them. When all goes well, then let we'll enoug
alone. But when error results in disturbance
as it surely will, then let the facts be noted an
their workings understood, so that remedy an
avoidance shall be effectually secured 1t is
E simple matter, but it involves ahigh duty, whc
men will appreciate one day much more tina
they do now.-B0StOn Journal