Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-11-11
For the Journal
The Medical Board, No. 6.

For the Journal.
The Medical Board, No. 6.
| The difficulties of medicine seldom understood by
those commencing it. The mental faculties and physical
powers to be severely taxed The powers of memory
observation and Judgment must be constantly cultivated
with end the labor. The student has right amuse-
recreatons that disturb his thoughts lessen his
devotion his legitimate pursuits. He must have that love
that will make the repusve Investigations
agreeable Much of his life be spent damp dssect-
ing i'll hospitals and in pestlent dead houses he
has good physical constitution it will be apt
cumb study and exposure, and he will swell the list of
those who have fallen victims fever consumption
fore his studies completed.
The pos ession Of diploma SO far from ending his stu
dies only opens to HIM new course OF educaon and in
creases his obligations to pursue it. If his aim is merely
obtain diploma he is unfit for calling that imposes upon
every member the highest obligations to preserve life and
lessen pain and If his object is to make money
fesson unfit him. Not that his services should be
given to those able to pay On the other hand he should
duty and his profession but he should
other aims than the accumulation of wealth Statistics prove
that physicians class are not only the shortest lived
but tie least successful in accommodating riches. The ply
look his bosom for his best reward The
conviction that he able to do his duty and that he has dis
charged it, the golden prize that he should seek
though moderated by those incapable of estimating his
qualifications and usefulness. No bills paid with
much his Let him do all he can-pass labori
days and eepless nights from the responsibility of
rcae and from the consciousness that the lives and
happiness of others depend upon his skill and Judgment
and yet injustice and ngrattude often the only reward
aration all this nappreciaon and mental anxiety
still his duty to obey the command, Do good to those
who despetuly use you"
of the very objections to the Board conveys injustice
to the profession That objection is that the Board is the
offspring of the State Medical Society.
The Legislature authorized its institution in obedience
the demands of correct public sentiment. The act
passed for the public good and not for the benefit of
the profession. The State Medical Society appointed
committee recommend its passage, and they did
patriotic duty to do But the charge that
bers the profess actuated by selfish motives
vorng the Board pngenerous and false and contains
craft is danger that physicians advocated the passage
this medical BILL opponents contend Who suffers from
the prevalence of all those medical decisions
that medical quackery that the friends of the bill
suHpess reg lar physicians surely. The quacks
for the regular physician Every patent medicine pa
nacea that advertised brings later into the
cur without The who doses himself family impro-
perIy, who habiuay swallows patent medicine more
had been taken Quacks and quackery put
thousand dollars into the pockets the regular profession
for every dollar they keep out.
The general character of the profession mpu-
that they seek exclusive privileges and selfish ends
accredited Ministers of the Gospel class of have
done for the public, outside of their professional la
Dor. The annals of benevoence literature, patriotism
and religion present overwhelming proof Of this ASSERT
Others recommend the virtues of charity peace and
good WILL but it is physicians who practice that divine
command
1t is the community suffer from the prevalence of
those false notions OF physc and physicians to which
have alluded it the same community that will be benefit
ted by the Board and they ough it. They
from medical empires and not legitimate practopers@
Facts upon prove it. The condition of medicine
Europe OF these facts There the people
vicious work harder fed titan these of
county, much favourable to health and longevity
There pains taken in qualify those who practice
The result is that the average length of human
life in Europe is nearly half than is in America
medicine who chooses and the lives of the people be
play thing of his ignorance and presumption.
Our government will not allow any one to practice
upon sick soldiers and sailors in the national service
without first undergoing rigid examination before her
Medical Boards These Boards place value dipo-
further than they accompanied efficient
qualifications. very large majority Of physicians who 90
before them rejected unfit practice upon soldiers
and sailors The result is that the medical department
the army and navy stands high all the world and
those belonging to distinguished for skill and learning
Why not much the duty OF State to provide
able physicians for her citizens when SICK is
general to furnish good practitioners
own sick soldiers and sailors?
there signs of the dawn of better day. Public
sentiment is moving the Legislatures different States
turn attention. than heretofore to the health and
lives of the people But year ago. Governor Of
the State OF New York spoke out the subject The fol
lowing is taken from his message to the LEGISLATURE No
subject universally affects all classes and all members
the community than that of the public health therefore
earnestly your attention the existing laws
subject and suggest their careful review and amendment
especially with view to the benefit of the combined
Experience of scientific and throughout the
respect the origin, the causes the progress and
the treatment of all malignant infectious diseases may
be well consider whether the time has arrived when
the State is called upon to contribute its aid eectuay
than has hitherto DONE to advance the of medca
education. Every nhabant of the State OF
other tees the need of the physician and interested that
he should be learned and skillful.'
aid in achieving these desirable obect-to advance
medical scienceand to promote the welfare of the public
have been formed. The North Carolina Medical
pishng mission. has been in existence years
kept by the voluntary efforts of its members This
science right and benevoence appeal for support
every honorable physician and to good citizen In
nothing contrary to the honor rights and independence
every true disciple OF the healing att The most serious