Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-28
from the Wilmington Journal.
THE MEDICAL BOARD NO. l.

The Medical Profession does not possess that high
repute that it formerly maintained Not that Medi-
cine is less certain than in days past not that the
profession is less useful than formerly; on the con-
trary the one is constantly gaining in certainty and
the other in importance The practice of medicine,
when left to surniseS and vague conjecture is of
cruel results; but when its weestablished prnci-
pies are taken a guide, it is attended with GER
tainty and manifold blessings to the community
But such has become the of access to the pro-
fesson-so easy is medical diploma obtained at the
present day, and so numerous the facilities by which
legalized practitioners can humbng the people, that
the standard of the profession has been lowered
Formerly, man was obliged to study, and toll and
MOL for years in preparation before he could obtain
diploma to practice. lie was also obliged to give
good evidence Of moral character-was required to
prove himself to be gentleman. before he could 5e
welcomed across the threshold of the sick chamber
Nowadays, however neither study nor moral char
acter indispensable prerequisites to graduation
As general thing if the candidate will pay for two
winter courses oflectures, he may rely pretty conf
IDENTIFY upon having placed upon his shoulders all
the blushing honors and responsibilities ola diploma
The truth of this statement is notorious. Evil both
to the profession and to the public is the necessary
result 1t lessons the profession in the estimation
of the community. and annually introduces to pa
tents swarms of doctors, with diploma in hand,
who are incompetent to engage in the delicate and
difficult abors of medical and surgical practice Not
that would underrate the ADVANTAGES of a Medical
College. All who can should avail themselves Of
their benefits Nor do all who obtain diplomas mer-
it this charge of unfitness to which have alluded
But | contend that numerous have the Medical
Colleges bccome-about forty in number-So great
and INSCRIPTIONS is the competition among them,
such the corruption engendered by the voracious
appetite for numbers and money, that the leading
desire with most of them is, not which shall turn
l.zk IL -
the largest number of students. And it requires no
shrewd observer to discover that similar ambition
is increasing to lamentable degree among our Lit
erary Colleges Schools, and Academies for both
sexes.
From such facts as these, arose the patriotic de-
termination of the last Legislature to pass law of
protection to the health and lives of the citizens of
the State. Nobly did they discharge this duty and
well do they deserve the thanks of every citizen for
what they did in this important relation. 1t is as
much the duty of the legislator to sustain the
promotve of the sanitary condition and bodily
health of the people, as it is to advocate measures
that will improve their physical welfare and mental
and moral condition. 1t is as much the right of the
Legislature to pass the law establishing Medical
Board of Examiners, it has the just power to
thoriZe the Supreme Court to license those who
practice law, or Boards of Superintendent Of Com
mon Schools to examine those who wish to teach
Free Schools. If the power exists in one case, 1t
exists in ALL
tS The Bill creating the Medical Board was passed
in obedience to popular sentiment, and not merely
at the suggestion of the Medical Profession For
years an effort has been made in the General Assem-
bly, to establish such institution; but owing to
the fact that the public mind was not sufficiently
aroused to its necessity and to the additional
that demagogues both within and without the pro-
fession, have all along, now, been industrious in
attempts to confuse the people on the subject the
movement failed.
Misunderstood by some, misrepresented by 9TH
ers, have thought it well to explain the provisions,
features and objects of the law creating the Medical
Board of Examiners now existing in our State, and
to attempt in proper spirit to meet the arguments
and objections of its opponents propose to enter
upon this task in future numbers
A FRIEND TO THE BILL.