Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-05-30

PRODUCTION of incubation, then chloro-
form succeeding the aneothetic pro-
perties of nitrous oxide gas, the dis
covery of distinct nerve fibres for SEN
sat;on and motion by Bell and Magon-
die, all coming SO rapidly upon each
other as to lead the world to believe it
was the easy and spontaneous evolu-
ton of intellectual Development. But
not so; unre1uitted toll. labor in the
face of the worlds objections, oppo-
sition to dissection, opposition to re-
ligion, these were the charges which
medical science had to
frOwn down, outlive and rise above
scEPTICIsM.
The impetus that medical science
received, dating from the discovery of
the circulation of blood, had left false
so-called philosophy which was not
founded on correct observation, to
move forward on the road of progress,
but speculation succeeded these search
ing enquiries after truth and medicine
leaped into scepticism and materialism,
driven to despair by multiplication of
theories and vagueness of knowledge,
resulting III revolution which gave
birth in the 18th century to such minds
as Hallen, Morgagni, and others who
were stigmatized as STOPPING to small
matters Of elementary questions: Yet
from this conflict came forth lights
that ha! illuminated brilliantly the road
to medical fame. Still, to this day, the
world regards the intellectual conflict
going on between the old and the new
schools of medicine, as an indication
that medical thought, thodgh there is
a deep and solid advancement always
in progress which reveals itself not to
the superficial, but only to those skilled
and learned, those willing to dive be-
meath the constantly changing surface
current.
INFLAMMATION.
been actively going on in the medical
profession has been mainly upon the
subject of Inflammation. Disputants
have arrayed themselves in acrimoni-
Gus debates upon its pathology. The
advance parties, taking up welpons of
a better studied and more perfected
treatment, have caused the entire field
to be resurveyed, and as a result of
their investigation, discoveries which
make golden era in pathology, have
been the outgrowth. Thus Il discus
sion commenced in acrimOny or with
no higher aim than to establish a new
theory or sustain an old one, has re-
suited to great advantage to all con-
cerned, except, perhaps, the disputants
themselves or those devoted to mere
| theory.
PATHOLOGY AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
1t has been too much the habit OF
physicians to regard knowledge of
pathological histology in the light of a
| literary pastime, while their labors and
observations in microscopic tissues,
have led to fatalism, ignoring the first
cause of all life, though such was not
the Legitimate outgrowth of these
mental studies, and the object OF
rational medicine is science, not mys-
terry. At the risk cf oversteppine
legimate bounds, the Doctor said
Pathology should be more generally
studied by the practitioner, for upon
such date rest many therapeutical
principles, and what though we grope
in darkness if we gain one truth. Not
withstanding, medicine must, in a
great measure, bear its advancement
upon an enlightened pathology, this
has not heretofore been the most pro
dies, for had medicine been delayed il
its progress until the discovery of the
! febrifuge properties of Peruvian bark
had been eliminated from pathological
principles, or had Vaccine been so de
pendent, the human race would now
be cursed with the ravages Of marsh
fever and smallpox. Perhaps the
greatest achievement in modern times
in any science or profession has been
the discovery of the means of detecting
disease.
The stethoscope and microscope are
now used with increased confidence
and even the thermometer which
formerly served the unimportant
purpose of indicating heat III ON
houses, is now made to serve the de
lection of disease and indicate its ter
mination. We may be thankful tina
the general tendency of the times is
toward the truth in scientific studies
The time has passed when, in medica
science, one may hope to improve his
new theories upon the profession by
mere force OF literary character 81
cogency of argument, for they vii
survive or fall Just III proportion to the
case and skill which enter into theil
composition, and their correspondence,
with truth. 1t was the eargerness O
concerted action and interchange O
thought which gave birth i'll the mid
die of the eighteenth century to the
British Royal Society, and the same i
was which, near Il quarter of 4 century
ago, gave birth to this Society, and b,
Ike principles must we be actuated i
we expect it to flourish. The hope
OF the triumph of rational metlince i:
in the education of the masses in the
elementary principles of anat my and
physiology while scores of people are
tiCcIing to witness the spectroscopt
and reading abstruse scientific articles
how few show the least concern t.
learn how fearfully and wonderful,
we are made. The Press must be made
our ally, not by violent denunciatior
of quacks and their nostrun S, bu
through the medium of popular medi
cal education. The elevat. 4 of the
standard of the profession is not to be
accomplished by the State it must
come through the vigorous and harmo
NOUS action of the profession, ant
then will the science of medicine
triumph Thus closed the able effor
of Wood, and could the good people OF
Wilmington have witnessed the mi
FefSal APPRECIATION, they would have
been proud of the honor done one o.
her worthy sons.
On motion of Dr. Summercn, o.
Salisbury, an unanimous request wa:
made, asking of DIR. Wood copy fol
publication.
Thursday morning, all unfinished
business being attended to, an election
for officers for the ensuing year wa,
had, and DIR. Norcom, of Edenton
chosen President DR.. James Mckee
of Raleigh, Secretary, and DR. r. F
Lewis, formerly of Bladen, now O
Robson, one of the Vice-Presi
dents, when Dr. Whitehead, tn,
retiring President, delivered his val
edicto,y, of which there is bu
one opinion: that for chasteness O.
style, selection of ideas and fine
thought, it would be difficult to excel
Prominent among the actors in the
Convention were Drs. Satchwell and
Wood, of New Hanover, DIR. G. T.
n l.