The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-06-28
NUMBER 26.

To this course he is inpelled by two
powerful forces; the FIRST and greatest, is
the demand of humanity. which, to con-
cientious man, leaves often no alternative
by which to escape the call. The second,
is the force Of public sentiment, which will
not tolerate in the physician that freedom
of action, which it allows to others. The
merchant may refuse credit to whom he
chooses the druggist may decline to sell
to an insolvent customer, and it is well;
but the physician who exercises this liber-
ty. brings upon himself the severest CEN
sure, and consequent injury to his charac-
ter and business.
To the many cases of casualty and
death which occur IN this fast age, large
proportion of which is amongst the poorer
classes, the physician stands a ready ser
want, subject to every beck and call, and
is expected and required to have in resdi-
ness all the appliances and material, at
whatever cost, adapted to every emergency.
By his promptness, skill, and benevolent
agency, he relieves large numbers, and
oft-times rescues them from impending
death. When under analogous scircum-
stances, party is snatched from a burning
dwelling, or watery grave. the individual
who performs the deed is esteemed hero.
When a mariner Tushes to the rescue of q
distressed crew, he gains for himself lau-
rels of praise, aud medals of honor. Not
so, the physician. He is regarded as hav-
ing performed a mere commonplace duty,
and scarcely meets with passing commen-
dation and such is the tyranny of Gus
tom and law, that If he refuses to respond
to every call, he encounters the indignant
frown of the community, and failing, from
want of facilities or other cause, 70 adopt
the most scientific treatment, he becomes
liable to prosecution and heavy damages.
When the cholera, or other destructive
malady RACES as an epidemic in cOmmu-
nifty, the physician remains at his post,
facing danger and death for the public Iu
medico-legal Investigations, at coFoner'sin-
quests, and in post mortem inegsctions, the
services of the physician are required, and
yet the State has made no adequate pro-
vision for his compensation.
If in the days of peace and prosperity,
these burdens bore unequally and hard up
on the medical mau, what are they now,
when the proportion of poor to be treated
has increased ten fold, when the proceeds
of the negro practice have been cut Of.
and when specific taxes By the State, che
county, and the Federal authorities, are
extorted from the practitioner
Medical men, as class, are proverbially
benevolent and kind, and have ever borne
with patience the heavy responsibilities Of
the practice and the exactions OF the pub
lie but the time has arrived, when, in
consequence of their own destitution, and
the impoverished condition Of the masses,
they feel constrained to protest against the
vast inequality Of the burdens they are
called upon to bear.
Other facts could be sdduced in proof
of the position assumed. and to show that
the physician is public benefactor, and is
entitled to the gratitudes and support, in
stead of the censure and neglect Of the
public. But we conclude by recapitulat-
ing the points we have endeavored TO es-
tablish
1st-There are reciprocal obligations
between the public and the members Of
medical profession.
2d-Medical men are nobly discharging
their duties but the people are unmind
ful OF their obligations which require them,
both as matter of principle aud Of policy,
to support the true men of the profession.
3d-Medical men are not paid they
are forced to aiopt the old credit systems
which is little better than starva ton, as
the result of which, many good men are
leaving the profession.
4th-Medical men are benefaotors to the
public, for which neither the Legislature
nor the masses OF the people have any just
appreciation.
The Courier, printed at FincOlntou, N.
c., not far from Buncombe. learns from