Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-06-18
TO Physicians.
( For the Free PrSss.

MEssRs. EDITORs: If you viii give me the
space in your columns desire very briefly IN
make some suggestions to my professional
brethren Of Jefferson on a subject which Is OF
vital importance to themselves, and which,
when properly treated, will be duly apprecia-
ted and respected by every intelligent citizen.
And rs there does not exist IN their midst the
usual means Of making such communications,
I hone shall be excused for doing so thus
publicly and in a manner somewhat extra-pro-
fessional
The subject, Doctors, which in my humble
opinion demands your serious attention, is
Medical Ethics. or, as it is defined, "The Duties
and Rights Of Medical Practitioners" Now /
do not propose in these remarks to enter upon
any discussion as TO what are the duties and
rights Of physicians, but merely TO institute
such inquiries as may lead to the removal Of
difficulties which, if they do not seriously re-
tard the development amongst us Of enlightened
ideas. have long been obstacles 20 the harmony
and fraternal feeling which should characterize
our daily transactions with each othcr-dlifi-
culties which we cannot hope TO escape until
some system Of united action, some code Of
ethics Shall he established 10y which every ply
stefan is required to DO his duty at the same
time he is protected in his rights. There Is
not one Of You. imagine, who has not expert
enced some. If not ALL Of these difficulties. 1t
cannot. therefore, be necessary to ennmerate
the,n-iudeed. it might not be altogether safe
10 lay before the rulgGr SO many proofs of the
unsettled condition Of physicians minds
Whatever may have brought about this demo-
raGzltion, an will recognise the necessity OF
doing something 10 remove II. But have we
not remedy? Would not a Medical AsScia-
tion teud somewhat TO rcctify this state OF
affairs? There can be no difference of opln-
ion on this point amongst those who are &C
Quainted with the D,odus operandi of such in
stitutiops. They are known to flourish through
out the country. in almost every county IN the
State a certainly IN every reSpectatle COM
muuity except our own. What then Is 20 pre-
vent the organization Of the jefferson Medi-
cal Association ?" Are any of you converts to
the popular belief that doctors cannot agree
There are. Doubtless, some who ,riU not agree
to ANYTHING except to disagree, and who seem
% think they eau drive more lucrative trade
by acting ou the principle of every man for
himself and the devil for us all. There are the
Sanrrados of our time-MediCasters who ply
their avoca;ious very much after the fashion Of
pardon mel the organ grinder who also turns
crank, but with a limited comprehension Of
the machinery he thus sets in motion. Nor
does he place any special estimate upon his
services. taking what he can get, but You have
only tooh,erve the dcxtcrous manner in which
after each performance he hands round the hat
% form q pretty good idea Of his ruling pas
sion. Many are the eccentricities Of genius
Sometimes he does not hand round the hat at
ALL and it would be very natural for people to
remember this should occasion require.
But seriously, gentlemen, if there is any a.
policy for our failure 10 act in this matter |
/ have not been able 70 find it-and il what |
have said in this bare mention Of the subject
shall arouse YOU to Just appreciation Of our
present di~orgauized condition and of the dig
nifty which belongs oour honorable profession,
shall feel more than acquitted Of what some
may he pleased to consider an unwarrautcd
odicjousncss
Let us call g Convention at once.
A PHYSICIAN.