The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-11-24
DR.. Longdon
Professional LiberalitV.

Before we can have true progress in medi-
cal science the profession must be emanci-
pated from the bigotry that for ages has
enslaved II. Physicians must assert their
independence, throw away their prejudice,
and honestly accept every new truth
evolved In the science.of medicine, no mat
ter by whom IL is first enunclated, They
must exercise their own judgments and not
wholly depend on the brains o. few emf
nent men who, having nothing else to do,
have added a volume or two 10 medical
literature. Their minds must not be tram
meled by the arbitrary restrictions Of party
organizations. The members Of medical
societies do themselves but little credit,
while they greatly hinder the advancement
OF medical science, by arrogattng to them
selves the right to exclude all knowledge
that does nor chance to flow through their
secret channels. In this, as we'll as branding
every one charlatan who does not endorse
their ethics, they only show their own
weakness and folly. such eXclusiyeness
might answer were medicine an exact
science but so long as many of its princl-
pies are so vague and unsettled, so long as
many OF the great leaders in the profession
hold and teach entirely opposite views on
the primary effects OF even opium, It seems
to US TO be neither wise nor modest. When
professors of the healing art can hoard
knowledge, as the miser gold, and subject il
TO the same sure tests, 1t will be in
much /, better taste to become so wholly
nosis and treatment 1t will be quite time
enough to wrap themselves in self-adoring
pride. Medical Associations with liberal by
laws might accomplish much good, but
catacombs in which TO embalm the
dead ideas of the past. No influence
holds so steady check on true
medical progress as the exc!usiveness
and conservatism OF these patty organi.
cations. They admit no truth, no dis
covery, no light that radiates from any 9TH
er circle than their own. They regard all
knowledge as contraband that Is not enter ,
ed at their custom house and duly certified
by their magnates. These conservists are
not revolving lights they shine only in one
direction, present but one phase OF humani-
ty though seen 4 thousand times. But these
regular doctors DO not always agree with
each other. Who'd not know OF the fear |
ful uiscrcpaucie. in theirOpinionS, and how |
terribly fatal To the patient wrong dlagno- !
sis and improper treatment have proved IN |
thousands OF CsseS. In case or simple III |
Illumination OF the urelhra AMI bladder |
(uretnro .cyStitls) that came under our |
notice short time since in this city, one !
physician had pronounced the disease |
cystic tumor, O second said IL was prOlap- |
sus uteri CALLING WOmb,) while third, pro- |
Tossing wOndrous skill, but knowing MOTH |
ing, asserted that the lungs were the Feat OF
the trouble. AS might be expected none OF |
these relieved the patient; while under pro |
per treatment proceeding from correct |
diagnosis the disease was promptly cured |
So OF many obscure diseases of the nervous |
system, lymphsticS and blood; how often |
are they pronounced dyspepsia, liver COM |
plant, something wrong" with the lungs, |
heart sc. Who that has been sick has not |
been triiled with in this manner From the |
college professor to the village doctor diff |
ferent disease has been named and dilier- |
ent prescription given. And yet these are |
the men who cry "humbug" when phys!. |
clan asserts his independence. acknowledge |
his duty TO the SICK rather than to medical |
societies, makes up his practice from the |
good OF all schools, and discaIds TIE dead |
ideas Of the past. |
Fees for consultation, examination, advice |
and treatment within the reach OF all, in |
no case exceeding the charges of family |
physicians.
Medicines for all Diseases by mail and ex-
press to all parts of the country.
Office Hou.s-S 10 Y, l:3O 10 D, and GEO to 8.
|. H. L0NGD0N, A. NJ, M. D.,
1909 EOFF (old Filthy Street,
Opposite the Cathedral,
novl WHEELING, w. VA.