Daily national Democrat., 1858-12-18

There are no maladies to which the human family is
liable of deeper Importance either in a medical or
moral point of view, than those arising from impure
sexual intercourse
AS mt dical men, it is our business to look at dis
ease merely it affects Jite and hedJth; and our ei-
forts directed, not to the reformation of mans "
cious propensites, but to the mitigation of his bodily
suneriugs. 1t is in this abstract sense we write OF
TeneloW AfectiOnS And it is in this sense that the
Doctor should address himself to their study II his
feelings allowed to influence his professional pur-
suits, his qualifications will necessarily be limited to
those subjects that most agreeable to his tastes
TO become enlighted practitioner, ii is as essential
that he should be liberal and ardent one and alec-
tions their nature repusive to delicate sensbites,
be regarded in other light than as morbid pheno-
mcna af the LIVING BODY.
The whole business Of the medical art, when
take low view of il and regard it only labor, is
dsagreeable one. In any form, disease is unpleasant
to look upon. The sick chamber affords no pleasant
sights. The physician is made the witness both OF
physical pain and moral infrmty, Struck ny dis
ease the attractive parts of mans nat@re clouded
over; his pride is hunbed; his intellect ie disturbed ;
his whole character, in word, is transformed Too
often alas, is sickness the consequence of his fol-
ly self-indugence, the qualification of appettes the
eXhausting toll Of avarice the feversh lGbors for hu-
man applause, allproGuce their haneful effects upon
tie Constitution. But to the medical attendant the
moral aspects are not to have any influence upon his
skill or his cares.
At the best human nature is but weak This is the
first truth for medical man to learn; and in what
ever way this weakness is exhibited the phlanhropic
heart will feel that it is pleasure as well as duty,
to relieve bodily infrmities, whenever and however
thev appear This is the higher and nobler view of
medical science. 1t devotes tselftO the mitigation Of
paiu, the abatement of disease, the restoration to
health. In doing this, its minister must be the spec
tator of much that disagreeable But he is reward
ed by the lofty sasfacto OF feeling that alhOr gh
personal comfort is sacrificed and sympathy is often
painfully excited, yet it is through such road that
Benevocrce has the widest scope, and meets with the
richest return for its labors.
OF all the affections that aillict man, there is no
more terrible in its consequences than SYPHILIS,
Dreadful it to the person who first contracts it,
frghtful frequently its ravages in his cOnsttu
tion, ending occasionally in destruction yet is
disease of deeper interest, and more to be lamened
when transmitted to offspring. Children often come
into the world with the disease hdeously manifested
to the eye; covered with blotches and sores with
wrnkled faces, having the appearance of old ag9
and ii is probable that every particle of the living
ganism is equally tainted with the poison. When such
IA condition exists 1t cannot be doubted that life will
too frequently be short and full of pain.
SCRoFULA, CONSUMPTION, and other diseases that
sometimes hereditary, are in many cases, its fruit
and one way to stay the devastating march of those
fearful fatal affections, is, far practicable, to
Eradicate SyphiLis from, the World Would it not
seem that disease prevalent and direiul, ought
to excite the deepest interest among the medical
both respects its true pathology and its treatment
What excuse can he offer for his deficiency, who caUs
himself surgeon, and yet does not even recognize
the disease when he it, and ignorant of the best
means OF checking it and preventing any future evil
consequences Is it enough for him to say to the i'm
agination the disease is oathsom one that it is
treat? Such an excuse may, probably, satisfy him
who has no better, but it will not satisfy scieLce
philanthropy.
Whoever undertakes the medic Il profession with a
true spirit, will never rest cOnented with knowing
only limited part of it. There is subject that he
thinks unworthy of investigation and study. lie can
not be satisfied with a smattering knowledge of what
he is bound to understand well. He feels resting upon
him double obllgaton-One, the duty he owes to the
public, TO whom he announces that he is qualified
member Of noble profession the other, the duty he
owes to himself to make and maintain reputation
for atainments and skill. There practition
ers indeed there many, 1CtO are ignorant QfgeR
ere diseases, because they fancy it not respeca
bic to treat them-0f all such persons it may be
serted as beyond dispute that their ignorance is not
confined TO these diseases alone; they will be found
deficient in all other points, and not properly
qualified for the responsibilities they have assumed
Whoever has just appreciation of the medical art,
will not know any difference in the respectdbiIay Of
diseases. All malades alike fit subjects for his
care and reflection and the only distinction that he
acknowledges is that which arises from their greater
or less gravity Circumstances may, indeed, direct
his practice in particular channel that his busi-
will be inclined to class of Affections rather
than another; but this is not because he regards some
as beneath or unworthy his notice.
@. II. T0ZER, NJ. D.