The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-04
WHEELING w. yA FRIDAY MORNING OCTOBER f. 1867

the profession does, by the study and
cultivation of sanitary science, con-
tribute mighty share in the moral and
physical progress of human So
ciety; his labor is really a produc-
tive labor of the highest value, es-
pecially to newly developed commu-
mites and States. A great deal, how
ever, depends upon enlarged and
methodical observation. Sanitary
science is too comprehensive to rest
upon limited and old fashioned medical
experience. A vast amount of statis-
tical knowledge of physical and medi-
cal geography and hygiology must be
acauired, before the cause of so called
endemic and epidemic disases can be
properly elucidated and appreciated.
In fact, an extensive survey OF the
whole realm of organic nature is ne
fcessary for their proper appreciation
and.ultimate removal. How intimate
Iy, for instance, are the diseases OF man
and animals related with unwholesome
food; and of unwholesome food with
diseases of vegetable and animal life
A knowledge, therefore, of all that is
known of organic nature, Of all the
great truths of Science, is indispensable
to the appreciation of the cause OF so
called epidemic or endemic diseases,
and to the proper arrangement of meas
ures for; the prevention of many of
them. The study and cultivation of
sanitary science is always an evidence
of the highest moral and intellectual
status of communities and States; its
development and progress is intimately
related with advancing civilization
everywhere. Barbarians do not culti-
vate that science, nor do they respect
or recognize sanitary. matters. Land
draining and town-sewering was no
longer thought ofFamong the Romans
during the decentralization which
marked their decline. In demoraliZed
communities human life has no value.
Depraved and demoralized individuals
do not respect sanitary arrangements.
q To medical men cnltiyating sanitary
science is confided the physical and
moral welfare and well-being of nations
and whole armies. Upon the correct
appreciation and hygienic management
Of the many causes leading 10 physical
and moral deterioration, depends in a
great measure the ultimate success of
all governments, States and armies. Or
what immense value are the productive
labors of sanitary science in public
economy! How important, then, is the
duty of every medical man to cultivate
that science; methodically to observe,
elucidate aud record the laws which
regulate health and disease in the dis
trict wherein he resides; to study the
physical geography of that district, and
carefully to ex anime the conditions and
causes under which diseases are con-
fined to certain localities (Medical
Geography IA
5 Thus many obscure and heretofore
incomprehensible so-called epidemic in
fluences and causes of disease will be
elucidated and removed, mortality les
sened lands and whole districts i'm
proved,in value, and inestimable SER
vices rendered in political economy.
In this way medicine becomes a pro-
ductire art, the labor of the physician
cultivating sanitary science produC-
tive labor of immense value to cOmmu-
nifty and State.
Medicine cannot cure disease. Science
investigates the cause and directs its
removal, establishing for the human
sufferer the best possible condition to
regain his health solely under the di-
vine and incOmprehensibl ris ndrurde
medicdtrir.
May you always labor in this direc-
tion for the advancement of science, the
interests of mankind and the moral and
physical welfare of our State.
n-... RICHARD BLUM.
Wheelinq, October 2, 1867.