The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-05-09
A Word to the Physicians of An.
Andrew County

We profess to be engaged in q good
work-one that should call forth our
best energies. To US is committed the
health-yes, the lives-of Our patrons.
1t needs, therefore, no argument to
O that we should embrace
every opportunity within oar reach
to thoroughly qualify ourselves for u
high profession.
It will be admitted by all that the
first duty Of every physician is undoubt-
edly to perfect himself in the different
branches of medicine, by careful study
and review, and make diligent use Of
those means by which he may keep
himself posted in the new develop
ments that are constantly being made.
In this way he will establish a reputa-
ton that will not only be of q dsantlge
to himself, but will reflect credit upon
our common cause. We have too many
fossils-men who, seeing that they have
pretty good success in the treatment OF
the common diseases of the country,
are content with what they have. and
never make any effort for anything
better. Our profession needs live meh,
men that never cease to be students,
and who, by study and experience, at
tain such skill that they me ct successfully
those rare forms of disease that battle
the common practitioners. Such a man
is q host in himself, and his influence is
of great advantage to the cause. Now
a moments reflection will make It clear
to all, that if any man, acting alone,
can by diligence in study and Observa-
ton make himself better qualified to
discharge his duty to his patrons con-
cert of action of all the physicians OF
the country will produce great good.
Say we meet once q month, and have
an interchange of opinions; also q
truthful account of our success and
failure, and what we believe to be the
cause of the same. By SO doing, each
member will be aided by the entire med
ical talent of the county.
If a man truly believes that he has
ANYTHING that is superior to his neighbOr,
and the knowledge of which will be OF
advantage to the public, it is his duty
by every means in his power to dissem-
mate it. Any other course than this
would be selfish, and, when not orig
inal with him, would be unjust.
We are believers in united and organ
lied action, and hold that each indi-
vidual will be benefited by his efforts to
extend the boundary of usefulness of
his profession, in addition to the
general good that will result from such
efforts.
But some say: "What car | do? l
cannot write, and have nothing new to
communicate" This is the common
answer to all appeals for help for or
ganiz,ti IN and cooperative labor. In
answer, we say that 1t is not those finely
drawn and highly polished articles
that we need; but "a plain, simple state
ment of facts. Let each n state the
| difficulties he has met with, and wha'
| the result has been. Surely, any ply
| stefan can tell how he treats those cases
| that fall under his care, and thus, by q
truthful statement Of the facts, each
member has the benefit Of the entire ex
pericnce of the profession.
So it seems evident that it is our duty
to strengthen the hand of our brother
practitioners by aiding in effecting or
| g~anizations in every district where
| there are sufficient numbers. 1t vii
require no great loss of time or expen
diture to effect this. Half day or 81
each month, and it is done. Where tn
initiative steps have been taken to effec
such organization, each should conside
it his duty to aid, at least by his pres
ence, if he can do nothing more.
A few have succeeded in organizin,
a society in this place, which has pros
pered beyond our expectations; bu!
this success has been achieved by mucl
| hard labor. We have q continued worl
to do, and l have faith that We have tn
men to do it, and to do it well. Blu
to attain the desired our effort;
must he united and continuous. Come
! therefore, and let us lave q full turnou
and q general good time at u mex
meeting. and thus establish more firml
the basis of a kind and fraternal feelin,
in the profession. b. L. G. STONE.