Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-12-15
For the Journal
The NJ edical Board, No.7.

Since began these numbers the question has been
asked, why defend the Board moa0, why write at all
about the Bill since it has passed? The reply is that
combinations already forming to repeal the law be-
fore it has had fair trial The sort of opposition
that prior to last winter had succeeded for twenty-five
years in debating all attempts to establish Medical
Board in our State is already uterIng the cry of
repeal. Pettoggers, political brawers, and medical
EMPIRES be seen and heard in every town and
county nduging in groundless declamations against the
measure un just exclusive and tyrannical. Several
leading newspapers have taken ground against it, be-
sides those of lesser influence in different sections of the
State 1t is painful to the clever and talented Edi-
tor oil the Wilmington Herald directing his effective
batteries against a law conceived in the liberal
spirit OF science and the public good, passed in
wisdom and justice and calculated, if properly car
ried out, trust it will be- to advance the interests
of that good old commonwealth, to which he is warmly
devoted The measure has always worked well in other
States where tried, and to much opposition ar
rayed against here, before it has been tried is not lib
era and is well calculated to its friends to come
the And there is no better time than now to
discuss it, when the public mind is ready to give its
claims calm, attentive and dspassonate hearing be-
fore it becomes excited by the personal strife and bitter
warfare OF political and legislative campaigns. AS its
opponents have been the first to spring upon the pub
lie since passed and the Board was organized
only desire to keep there while the public mind is
state most favorable for the TRUTH and nothing but the
TRUTH in relation to the whole question So much then
as to my reasons for writing the Medical Board now
and in consecutive numbers leisure and opportunity
allow. desie to be heard, not for myself for too
humble and to merit or expect any consdera
ton from the public relating to myself personally con-
necton with my subject; but | seek impartial judy
ment for the sake Of the cause advocate-and that
is the health, lives and happiness of the people
And while other papers doing the honor of copy
ing my pieces feel honored in being allowed the use of
the columns of the Wilmington Journal as my first and
chosen medium OF reaching the public eye.
The papers have urged it objection to the Board,
that its members were graduated at the Medical
Colleges that will graduate most of those who will come
before the Board for examination that therefore, such
a second examination by men in state ncurs
unnecessary expense and trouble. The plain meaning
of the objection is that we have no medical gentlemen
in North Carolina competent to sit in judgment as to
the qualifications of those proposing to practice in her
borders. Such opinion is erroneous and unjust to
the profession and the State.
The Medical Board is composed of gentlemen as COM
peent to instruct and to examine Students as are the
faculties of these colleges and have scores of Others
of the same fitness We have numerous medical gen.
temen in cur State who would grace professorsbps in
these Medical Institutions and it is thing
for OF them to decline authentic invitations to fill
such chairs in other States The members of the Board
eminent in their profession, devoted science loyal
to the State, and in their official will have no oc
casion for using those paralities well known to be ex
ercsed by colleges in awarding diplomas to their respec
tive students No unjust favOrtism no party politics
had any influence in their election. The State Med
ca Society that elected them entirely unnfuenced
by political considerations and this TACT constitutes one
of the strongest recommendations of the Board to pub
lie confidence.
1t is not argued by any that the faculties of medical
colleges are incapable of nstructing and examining
Students it is only contended that they allow great
many to pass who ought to be rejected and this der
LECTION of duty their part has awakened the condem
nation of the profession and rendered necessary these
State Medical Boards
But after ALL this objection is but another demonstra-
ton Of that disposition in State to napprecate our
own men, to under estimate our own resources and to