The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-11-19
DR.. Longdon
Professional Liberality.

Before We can have true progress In medi-
cal science the protest. on 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 ii is first enunciated. 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 volume .Cr two 10 medical
literature. Their minds must not be tram
meled by the arbitrary restrictions OF party
organ ZatinnS. The members OF medical
societies do themselves but little credit,
while they greatly hinder the advancement
OF medical science, by arrogatipg to them
selves the right TO exclude all knowledge
that does nor chance 10 How through their
secret channels In this, as well rs 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 It's princl-
pies are so vague and unsettled, SO long as
many OF the great leaders III the profession
hold and teach entirely opposite views on
the primary effects OF even opium, 1t seems
10 us TO be neither wise nor modest. When
professors of the healing art can hoard
knowledge, as the miser gold and subject il
In the same sure tests, il will be in
much better taste 10 become so wholly
nosls and treatment IL Will be quite time
enough 10 wrap themselves in self-adOring
pride. Medical Associations with liberal by
laws might accomplish much good, but
those societies with stringent codes ere only
catacomhs in which 10 embalm the
dead ideas Of the past No influence
holds 90 steady check on true
medical progress as the eEcusiveneSs
and conservatism of these patty organi.
cations. They admit no truth, no dis
covery, no light rhat 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 thousand times. But these
regular doctors do not always agree with
each other. Who does not know OF the fear
full discrepancieSi in their opinions, and how
terribly fatal to the patient wrong diagno-
Sis and improper treatment have proved in
thousands OF cases, In q case OF simple in |
fiammation OF the urethra ani bladder
turethro cystitis) that came under our
notice short time since in this city, one |
physician had pronounced the disease |
cystic tumor, second said IL was prolap- |
sus uteri calling Womb,) while third, pro- |
Tossing wondrous skill, but knowing moth
ing, as'erie Ell that the lungs were the seat Of |
the trouble. AS might be expected none OF |
these relieved the patient; while under pro |
per treatment proceeding from q correct |
diagnosis the disease was promptly cured |
So of many obscure diseases OF the nervous |
system, lymphatics and blood how often |
are they pronounced dyspepsia, liver com.
plant, something wrong" with the lungs, |
neart &c. Who that has been sick has not |
been trifled with in this manner. From the |
college professor TO the village doctor diff |
!erent disease has been name and differ |
ent prescription given. And yet these are |
the men who cry "humbug" when physi- |
clan asserts his independence. acknow ledges |
his duty 10 the sick rather than 10 medical |
societies, makes up his practice from the |
good OF all sch3ols, and discaIds the dead |
Ideas OF the past.
Fees for consultation, examination, advice !,
and treatment within the reach or all, in |
no case exceeding the charges OF family
physicians.
Medicines for all Diseases by mail and ex-
press 10 all parts of the country. ..
Office Hours-S 10 L, l:S0 10 5, and 6:S0to9.
|. H. L0NGD0N, A. NJ, M. D., |
1909 EOFF (old Filthy Street,
Opposite the Cathedral.