American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-04-12

that he, whose Intellectual IN nifestations |
are generally feeble, cannot carry with |
him the necessary qualifications to the
bed of sickness
CODE OF ETHICS.
In our professional intercourse with each
other we should be governed by the code OF
ethics. SO long square our lives by that
instrument there will be no dissensions among
u.s. One of the most distinguished of meri-
can physicians once said, - do honestly be-
leve that, to a Young physician going forth i'll
to life full of moral conflicts, the wearing OF
this ;egis would be one of his surest defenses;
next to the Holy Scriptures and the grace of
God, it would serve most effectually to guard
him from evii''
INEBRIArE AsYLUMS.
1t is said that every nation has It's Stimuiant.
That there is a constitutional tendency inher-
ten in mankind to seek artificial stimulant,
will scarcely admit of doubt. But whether
this tendency be inherent or acquired, matters
but little. The question is, can we suggest
anything and by our influence with the powers
that be, that will tend to lessen crime and re-
lieve the unfortunate. For any plan that will
restore the subjects of intemperance to
briefly will be boon to thousands Of wretched
families and is worthy the attention of the
physician and philantropist. Societies have
been formed and enlisted in their support
large class of intelligent and influential men;
but it has been found that little no good
has been effected by them among the classes
on whom it was most desirable that their in
fluence should be exerted.
The experience of every physician must
bring the terrible results of intemperance fire.
quently before his eye, but whilst he is thus
rendered familiar with its consequence as re-
CARDS individuals, few, save those who have
inquired into the subject, have any idea of
the extent of the evils resulting from it. or Of
the degree in which it affects every member OF
| society. To reclaim this unfortunate class, M
| ebriate asylums have been formed; these in
stitutions are of recent origin and growth, and
| their founders have been compelled to go in
| the dark every step OF the way. Europe. to
which we are accustomed tn look for our les
SONS, could give US no information, tor she
had not made the experiment herself. The
first efforts seemed to promise success, 80 far
as appearances could 60. Funds flowed in for
the required expenses of the establishments;
the treatment OF the peculiar class Of inmates
became better understood by the profession.
In due time there were established nine asy-
Iums in several States of the Union, and other
States were taking measures to found similar
institutions within their bounds. But some
months ago, after the lapse of the initial period
of the whole enterprise, grave questionings
were heard concerning the general influence
| Of inebriate asylums, and indeed concerning
their immediate effects on the inmates them
selves. A physician in Pennsylvania published
| q letter a year ago, in which he pronounced
the asylums a decided failure, on the ground
that g the great mass Of the medical profess
Sion do not believe inebriety to be a disease.
| hey believe that it is the cause of disease
but never disease ITSELF He declared further
| that only a very small per centage OF the doc
tors have any faith in the doctrine of disease,
and OF those who do believe it, scarcely any
think it one which can be At ali benefited by
medical treatment; and that by the statistics
which he arrayed, there was proof that the
outcome was not at all sufficient to justify the
| expenditure. This attack unanswered for
time sufficiently long to give certain journals
landau opportunity to elaborate arguments
against the whole enterprise. However, we
now find a calm, deliberate and thorough re-
Spouse from the Superintend> Mt and physician
OF the New York Inebliate Asylum, who
{ meets every objection and, taking the very
points and statistics of his opponent, shows
| that the institutions for the re Orm and cure
of inebriates have been marked successes. So
convincing have been his arguments that the
same journals which had openly discounten-
anced the extension and patronage OF the asy-
lums, have as publicly receded from their posi-
tons, and now call attention to the great
charity, and let its influence spread far and
wide. He cites weighty authority. both at
home and abroad, in support of his theory that
Incompetence is not simply habit, but a dis
ease also, one that affects the will, and there
by the whole man. 1t is unfortunate that the
very debatable subject of the physiological
origin of ntemperanee should be SO mixed up
| with the question of the attempts made to re-
| form inebriates that the latter is in danger oil
| suffering on account of the distavor felt BY
some Philanthropists for theory which is
often miSused in the interest of loose moral
ity. The Superintendent of our State Lunatie
Asylum, has for the past two years. in his an
| - hoI Al. Al.
lature to this subject. and has recommended
that an asylum should be established for this
unfortunate class. That broad benevolence
that underlies our pro: essiOn calls upon US to
take such part in this great humanitarian en-
terprise, as you, in your Judgment may deem
proper.
COMPULSORY VACCINATION.
| The subject of compulsory vaccination Is
being agitated in some of the State Medical
Associations, and think it question worthy
I OF your attention. We have among as
large class of people with low grades Of in.
tellect, and naturally superstitous, who will
not submit 30 this simple operation unless
the strong arm OF the law is brought to bear
upon them. 1t will hardly admit of a qaes
ton that some system of compulsory vaccin.
alton should lie adopted.
| CLERGY.
We are 20 frequently brought in contact with
the clergy. in the chamber OF the suffering. tina
| | wish to give that CLASS of the ministry passing
notice who take up with qnack nOstrnms, hereti
| cal aud unlocked medical systems and recommend
them Others to the iujnry of the true ph ysican
| 1t is known to You all that the whole system o
patent medicines is founded in frauG and adverse
| to science. This needs NO argument to prove it
Does it not follow that he who lends his name ta
the prOpret0rs Of quack aostrum is accessory tr
| a fraud, aud misleading the pnblic7 This does
| not tally very well with Che r great commission
go teach all nations, and I" if these things be
done in tue green tree. what shall it be in The
dry II members Of learned profession will
the way Of science, what are to expect from
| the great masses, whose quiet pursuits in life
never lead them to investigate the subject
| This leads me to mention another petty annoy.
ance which arises from the various falsehoods
which you lear concerning physicians charges.
This irritation will continue forever. for the
| can never cease. We cannot me sure our services
AS Or. Rush says. by scruples, drachms and
ounces; we cannot always render itemised &C
counts; We cannot cOnd-scend to become shop
keepers. We try to Accommodate our bills to the
abilities of our patients; but cannot tell the
| rich man that have charged him generously
and according to the fee-bill, because he is rich
and would be called gentleman; we cannot tell
u poor man that we charge him almost nothing
because he is poor; hence, on comparing their
| bill, there appears to Ignorant and ungsnerous
minds some cause for dissatisfaction. There is
| feel. 1t is that physicians are not sh0pkeepers
and ought not to be expected to send their bill
unless to families which they regularly att end.
To send bill unasked il a hateful task; tn send
| or ask for the money Is an abominatiOn, aud not
consistent with the dignity of our profession. No
man even imagine Hippocrates or Sydenham
sending for money. but it is our unhappy fate Ia
undergo this hateful burthen, die like the horss
Of SchOasticus.
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