Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-03-14
To tho Medical Profession of North
Carolina.

To the Medical Profession of North
Carolina.
At the meeting of the State Medical
Society held last May, in the town of
Newborn, the undersigned were ap-
pointed a committee to extend an earn
est invitation to YOU through the pa
pers of the State. to cooperate with
them in the laudable and noble objects
of that scientific body. The Society
has been in existence twenty-three
years. 1t has nobly withstood the op-
position OF all croakers, sluggards and
demAgogues both within and without
the regular ranks of the profession. It
has survived the shock and commissions
Of war and still lives, Il bright and
shining tight amid the glaring dema-
gogulsm Of this age, and the general
decentralization which now, more than
ever before, pervades all the pursuits
and professions of life.
The progress of science and intelli-
gence, together with the honorable
efforts of the Society to elevate the
standard of medicine in the State, and
thereby promote the highest interests
of her citizens, haye long since most
effectually silenced the tongues of those
against us, who formerly INDUCED in
unmanly inuendoes and open obiec-
tons to orr benevolent and scientific
ends
We now stand upon firm anil indie
pendent basis, under the protecting
wings of the State, and we most cordi-
ally invite every good and honorable
physician to come and join U.S.
We belive it is duty You owe your
selves, your profession YOUR country
and your God
The Legislature has recognized the
society, and demanded, in order to
protect the citizens of the State from
incompetent practitioners, that no
physician who began, or shall begin
the practice of medicine since the year
1859, can collect his fees by law unless
he has from the Board of Medical Elk
aminers of the State, Il certificate of
his moral and professional qualifca-
tons for the high and responsible du-
ties of a practitioner of medicine.
Never was such Il wise and beneficient
law SO much needed rs now, in view of
the swarms of medical humbues. i'm
posters, and demagogues without as
we'll as with diplomas, who infest the
land, disgracing our profession, and
distracting and injuring the body
polite Charlatans they are opposed
to all medical improvement, because it
exposes their own desires and grovel-
ing ends. They have no other end
than gain, and power, and no means
to at ain such ends are too unscrupu-
lous for their use.
Many of these men have refused to
apply for membership in our society,
because they know their own incompe-
tency, and because they know it has no
oongeniahty for others than gentlemen,
and men of devotion, and professional
progress.
This is the Just estimate placed upon
It by the leading representative men of
the State, and this most enlightened
/ portion OF the community extends to
its objects their warm sympathy and
support, and bids the society God
speed. The SAME sentiment has been
echoed and re-eGhoed for ii ill over
+ the country, and its achievements in
/ the career OF science AID humanity,
and in eleyatine the medical profess
! sion, receive pablo acknowledgements
and admiration III every State of the
| Union.
The physician who loves his profess
sion, and is really devoted to the good
I of humanity, the best interest Of his
/ fraternity, and the welfare OF the com
munity, cannot but advocate the aims
of the society, yet onl Y One-third of the
members of that body.
This is painful and Illuminating
| commentary upon the want Of deyo-
| ton and enterprise in the profession.
| Many of our best practitioners WHO
J, i,
! recrllii our ~auks
The society LIS pCen migratory in
! order that We may go TO tic cry
doors Of every physician, good end
! true, and thus enable linn H. come anil
help l.. G:sr onslaught upon ignor-
ance, demagoguisln ana .nnriilsi3,led
violations of the great code Of Medical
! Ethics. There Is no sucil thing as
standing still in our profession, and
| the physician who does not move on
ward IN tbs glorious Inafsi. Of progress,
must take the downward grade. with
! those stragglers and drones who hang
! upon the outskirts, stumbling blocks.
! to be crushed b. the adyac;ng wheels
/ of civilization
! Then we send this appeal to every
.shvs'riar III the State, outside OF oar
J Society, aha Respectfully invite them
! to come forward Ind join Our recruit
/ ing army of Improvement and reform.
The members Of the medical profess
! sion have higher functions than ever
battC~n to perform, not only IN the
| adoption o. undon,,te,l improvements
| in medical and surgical ijca&tice, ana
iii the application Of al those
means 1T command for the relief
of suffering humanity, but they
are also IL 1Itg bounl, eTcnrdin@ to
| the claims of civilization, 10 unite yah
the educator, the philosopher. The
| piijiant iiropiGt and the Christian, with
all their varied abilities. aud resources,
for amcliorating the condition OF ST.
ciety, and promoting the welfare OF
! the whole human family. Every mem
Der of our prusoaaioli, therefore, who
| desires the advancement Of science and
knowledge, and wishes to see his pro
fession leave its position and stagn2-
ton and decentralization, and III prin-
oipis, as SSH as i4,tellis.; rec, md use
fulness, is lnGst earnassl. liis irrt IL
come into the State Society. I'D.
The next meeting will be held Il:
Statesville, on the 81 Tuesday, the
Goth, of May, 1873. We shall indulge
in the pleasing hope of there meeting
a.ssa,n L.. Gas:n?cil the old Har-worn vet
Grams of SO many nara Tough. l.; tiles
for medical Advancement hr. our good
old State, and welcoming many new
recruits, jealous to give battle in the
great carse OF medical progress.
RespeAt fully pUi?mitte:l.
r. 4. PAY>E,
=. j. PITTMAN,
-. 50. DssI,I.nfs gill.
Committee.
February %, 1873.