Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-02-06
COMMUNICATES.



find a communication signed "Enquir-
err in which you, as journalist are,
in way, taken to task for the cause as
signed for the recent death Of Mr..
Daw, namely: "Dropsy Of tho leg.
produced BY disease Of tie hedrt." AS
the attending physician Of Mr.. Daw
I gave you, among othcr causes, the
one assigned, and Enquirer not in his
enquiries, but assertions politically casts
very severe, if not to say iywiow re-
.FsctiOas upon me professionally. Not
feeling sure of the motives that under
lie sEnquirer's' assertions, 1 will give
him the benefit Of doubt as to the
amount Of injury he may have designed
doing me by his communication. He
evidently belongs to large class of
people who, though they know nothing
of the medical profession, with it's ter
rible cares and anxieties, yet think
they have perfect right to wag their
heads, and pass opinions Of public
blame or praise, according as patient
lives or dies under the process Of med
ical treatment, often for disease that
may have been gradually growing
within the patients system for term
ofyears-likc the germs Of many plants
that give no evidence of life, till, un-
der favorable influence of sun, rain,
and air, they burst their bonds, and
declare their silent prc-existcncc.
This same class of opinion-givers are.
perfectly reckless of the rights Of a
physician, when he is called to treat
the sick, for, like birds of prey, they
follow his retiring footsteps, to drop
some of their raluabk opinions upon
his ability to cure the disease (of which
they know nothing at all, but perhaps
some of the minor symptoms, such as
n pain in the head. or stomach.) Alas
for the poor doctor, should this bird
decide that "the disease is the same
that such man died Of under his care
for this fopl will leave nothing unsaid,
to undermine the confidence of both
patient and friends; and, in nine
cases out of ten, just as the physician
first called has conquered the disease,
and has the patient just ready to sur
v;ve the anxious crisis, some other
doctor is called in his place, to witness
the rapid recorery, and to shine with
additional lustre in the plumagc stolen
for him by this patronizing bird.
But I shall not quarrel with "Enquir-
err for giving me this opportunity Of
openly defending myself in this matter.
/ have not been deaf, nor blind, to the
many stories in circulation, and their
cffcctsupon thopublic; and 1 now deem
it but justice to large circle Of pat
rons and friends, who number among
them some Of the most intelligent, sem
sible, and conscientious citizens
many of whom have warmly defended
me- should, when proper opportu-
nty offered itself, say little in my
own defence. My professional repu-
tation hitherto unblemishcd in my
military, and private life) is my CAPT
TAI, and l certainly do not feel disposed
to have it taken away from me with
out struggle Cou d I for one in
slant believe that any death that has
ever occurred in my practice was due
to my ignorance, or neglect, would
quit the profession at once. ! am sure
that my professional success in the
past, and the present, will compare ia
vorably with that Of any physician and
surgeon of my age and experience
mt the same time | do not claim to BIZ
inf,llible, any more than other profes-
sional men--but, before God my con-
science is clear of the charges implied
by "Enquircr." In my practice here,
ofbetween six and seven years dura-
ration, do not boast when declare
that / have performed many difficult
and handsome operations, and, wnde,
God, effected many cures that more
eminent, and experienced surgeons
would be proud Of In this statement
the older citizens will certainly sup
port me, and if enquirer had any
charity or good will about him, instead
Of accusing me Of ignorantly, or III
ejsusly shortening the days Of Mr..
Daw, he ought to take IL for granted
fiat in this case, as in all others, SC
xsccessful in the past and present
that il was my mi.fort'me to have had
= cas-, that was beyond the power o.
human skill TO cure; or, at any rate
lave called for poss-mortem in the
SEASON when HE statement or mine
might have been proven clearly. ]
ssould have most cheerfully, not only
consented to such an examination at