The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-06-05

lions occurring between lifeless agents
undisturbed by vital influences were
constantly under the eye of the observ.
er, therapeutic phenomena would be
quite as interesting in their study and
certain in their results as those incident
to any other branch of science. But
when we consider that the medicines
we may sometimes administer to our
patients for the cure of disease become
subject, within the body, to occult chem
ioal changes and are required to con-
tend with certain catalytic influences
incident to the vital processes Of which
we may know but little, 1t is no matter
of wonder that the march OF science in
this department has been so tHrdy and
unsteady in its course. These complex.
tiles of the subject however, instead OF
begetting such encouragement In the
mind of the student as to lead to its
abandonment as a field of research,
should only serve to increase his eff
forts in endeavoring to surmount the
known of the subject to convince him
that in this field of investigation there
are yet mines of wealth in reservation
for his profession. But he must re-
member also that they do not unfold
their treasures to the magic words of
"Open Sesame" Nor do they reveal
their treasures to the perceptions of
double minded "Jaoks of all trades, J"
but to those only who, through cease
less toll and devotion, continue faithful
to the profession they have espoused.
But enough for your forbeaEanCe,
perhaps, has been said OF the extent and
intricacies OF medicine as furnishing
reasons why those who have espoused
1t as their vocation should make 1t the
specially of their lives. Let me ask your
attention then, briefly, to a considera~
ton of the second division of our sub.
ject. It would seem to be a work of
suPererOgation to present arguments to
the minds of any class of persons upon
the importance OF life and health, or to
present proofs OF the magnitude of the
interests connected Herewith. Yet
Judging from the conduct of many of
the masses, and sometimes even from
that OF medical practitioners, it would
seem as though they were viewed as
matters of no great Importance after
all. Particularly are we struck with
this impression when we observe the
zeal and devotion with which men pur-
sue other interests and then measure
their estimate of those connected with
life and health by the same standard.
II Is a proverbiaI fact that most men,
where financial interests or reputation
are endangered, spare no pains or
expense in securing the best, coun-
sci to protect them in their
rights. Yet when disease invades
the bodies of themselves or friends
comparative Indifference Is sometimes
manifested in the selection of a medi-
cal adviser, and should there be hest
tation in the choice, dollars and cents
often enter largely into the decision.
Again, is it not true that occasionally
there are practitioners. who are ever
ready to bestow labor OF mind and body
upon promising business enterprise,
who but seldom tax their brains in the
study OF the cases of disease committed
to their carer Moreover, is it not true
in such instances that this indispost-
ton to engage In the latter exercise is
but logical sequence of the mental
activity, in kind, incident to the for
mer? Business sagacity Is not to be
moderated. 1t has lis sphere of use
fulness. But true professional life is
not the place for its Development
Science and Trade each has its charms,
predominant in the affections and
thoughts tending to their monopoly.
This inCompatibility between the pur
suit of Trade and devotion to Science,
obtains, perhaps, in all professions, but
so in ours. The diverting
influences from professional duty incl
dent to the planning and execution OF
enced in the mind of every medical
practitioner who has ever been led
aside, even temporarily, frou the paths
of his legitimate pursuit.
But to return from this depression, if
it be, to a consideration of
the claims which our vocation has up
on our time and attention, in view of
the interest which its practice involves.
The interests committed to our care, as
considered In all their rela-
tons, are, in importance perhaps, in.
ferior to none. Those connected with
property are incomparRbly inferior. or
these it may be said, as the great dra-
matte poet makes Iago say OF his purse,
% IT'S trash; tits something, nothing;
Twas mine, It's his, and has been slave to
thOusands!"
But the body and mind. gentlemen,
whose maladies we are called upon to
treat, are in every man parts of himself;
tho one being the casket containing the
germ of his Immortality; the other, the
thinking principle itself which, though
indestrrctible in its essence, is, like the
b dy, liable to perversions of function,
which il unrelieved deprive life of all
that makes 1t desirable or useful.
1t may not be within our province to
moralizs upon the value of human life
in respect to its aims and end, but we
may be allowed to advert to the fact
that comparatively few seem to have
due appreciation of the responsibilities
of life as they relate to themselves and
others. Many of US may at times for
get that, mot enjoyment and not soE-
row is our destined end and way"
that in tho great temple in CONT
the history OF human ex-
istence every man has his niche, and,
that he is not only in the main the
architect of that which is to occupy his
own, but that within the time allotted
him to work he has also much to do,
Il In rITyfFH f0r
and quality to many of the characters
destined to fill others.
There are times and circumstances,
however, in which most persons are
forced to rise TO an apprehension of
these truths. Who, for example, when
present in the sick chamber of devot-
ed mother surrounded by dependent
has not witnessed the inten-
sity of solicitude, known only IN its
depths to maternal instinct, for longer
life-not for her own sake, but for the
sake of those who will need such care
and counsel to shield them from the
snares of the designing and vicious as
only a mother can feel and bestow.
The physician who in assuming the
of such a case would
enter and depart from that chamber
with hasty steps having hurriedly
glanced at the tongue of his patient
and carelessly placed his fingers upon
her wrist, then Diminishing from his
thoughts till his subsequent visit the
little attention which his case had at
tracted, ibis mind, meanwhile, revolv-
ing business schemes irrelevant to his
patients interests, has either but little
of the magnitude of his
oftice, or is wilfully culpable of neg
lect OF the high interests committed to
his care. The magnitude of the re-
then we incur and the
value of the interests depending upon