The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-09-26
Answer to Captain Wade.

Mr.. Nc CoRD:-In the published
Address of. Capt. Thomas b. Wade,
/ delivered before the Farmers Club
at Wales Station, we find, among
other unfair structures against ev-
erybody Of every profession, who
happens not to be a farmer, the fol
lowing paragraph:
"The profession of medicine is so
crowded that they find it necessary
to pledge themselves to a given
schedule of prices, and these prices
fall with crushing weight upon the
poor men Of the country"
Now, Sir, l have nothing to do
with Capt. Wade's onslaught upon
the merchants and lawyers of the
country; l presume they arc more
than able TO defend themselves
from this particular foe. But can
not allow this unjust accusation
against the Medical Profession to
pass without indicating their uni
formly charitable character. In
January, 1867, the Giles County
Medical Society was organized-the
object being to improve the mem
bers and advance the interest of
medical science. In the st Section
of the Ist Article Of the Constitu-
ton we find the object plainly an
nounced us follows: "This Society
is constituted solely for the cultiva-
tion and advancement of medical
science, the diffusion of useful
knowledge, and the elevation of its
members"
Without controversy, the most
progressive mon of the profession
in The county Joined the Society at
once. and have continued to partici-
pate in its deliberations 10 this day,
under much opposition, nay, perse
cution, (growing out of "A misapprc-
hension of its obiects), until we
may claim a Medical Faculty second !
to none in this grand old State.
While the members have steadily
improved as medical practitioners, /
the people have been the beneficial
ries of this improvement
In the language of the "late la
mented, - nobody is hurt" by this
association. On the contrary, all |
have reaped the fruits Of our honess !
and diligeHt search for medical |
truth. That this is so, no we'll in
formed man will deny. At the time |
our organization was perfected, sup
plies of every description were fab |
ulously high. Capt. Wade will /
remember that he sold his |
bacon at from 25 to 80 cents per
pound, his corn at $l.25 to $I.5O per |
bushel, his wheat at $3.50 to SO per /
bushel, while all other necessaries
were proportionabiy high. Is he
so ungenerous as to require the ser
vices of his family physician at his
old rates, while he is charging him
three or four prices for his family
Under this state Of
things we did establish a rate of fees,
which, after all that was urged
against us, was not commensurate
with the prevailing prices of the
Of life. In 1860, when
supplies became more abundant and
necessarily cheaper, our rate of fees
was reduced % per cent; and in
January, 1872, the schedule was
abolished altogether, leaving the
matter of medical bills with each in
dividual physician and his patrons.
l deny, sir, that at any time has the
profession eXtOrted upon the neces-
sites Of the poor, and / defy Capt.
Wade to show me a class Of men
who daily practice One-tenth the
charity dispensed by the members
Of the medical profession.
The giDi,lg of aims in the way of
medical talent and kindly ministra-
lions at the bedside unfortunately
too often the only capital the poor
doctor has) is an hourly and al
ways pleasing duty. Yes, sir. it is
often, too often, the case that the
Doctor cheerfully visits and minis
5ers to the wants Of the poor tenant
whose family, living within a stones
throw Of the wealthy landlords
stately mansion, either suffers for
The necessaries of life, or procures /
hem at SAyloek prices, and that,
100, when the remuneration is GER
ain, because the "crop is bound"
or the supplies. But, sir, / started
Jut to defend my adopted profes-
sion; not to criminate the hoHest
'Grmsr. / shall hail with much sat
sfaction the organization Of Farm
RS Clubs all over our county when |
/ proper spirit animates the Nom
lers It is manifest from the Cap !
aims address and circular that the
snimus by which be is actnated Is
but praisewoIthy. Ia his