The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-10
A PIECE ABOUT DOCTuRS.

In the last number of the Piedmont Fir
giniam we find an article with the above
heading. 1t was written by Mozis Albums
during his convalescence from sickness, when
his heart was evidently full Of gratitude to
the physicians who attended him, and full
too Of affection for all mankind. Below
will be found the closing paragraphs Of his
warm-hearted article:
All, gentlemen, had my way, there would
not be wanting some large silver watches
and some moderately high-priced snuff boxes
for good many Of you. But i'll eahest, if
were millionaire, do not believe that all
the stingness incident to that atflictiOn
could keep me from setting rich men an ex-
ample Of honor done to those that richly de-
serve to be honored.
However i'll paid and often unpaid physi-
clans may be, they have the consolation of
knowing that eminence and success in
almost every other calling and profession is
a selfish success, limited in its good effects
to the man and his immediate family, where
as in medicine great success is based neces-
sarily upon great and widespread benet-
cence. TO even moderately distinguished
medical men indeed, to all but the very
meantSt and most worthless doctors, there
must come thrills of pleasure SO supreme
that only the minister of the gospel, who
feels that he has been the instrument of
saving soul, can hope to taste a pleasure
at all comparable to it.
Faithful keepers Of the great seal of
family secrets, trusty wardens OF the inef-
fably precious health of our loved ones, 81
lent and plying witnesses, who shall rightly
tell your worth and with what patent Of no.
bility shall We be fifty honoreds Statistics
show that man for man your profession has
fewer culprits than any other whatever. The
simple figures, unteeling and unt1attering
bear testimony to the lofty virtue OF your
calling. 1t is the hope of humanity,
and there is reason for the hope, that the
day will come when there shall be no
more great lawyers, for there shall lie no
more litigation, when there shall be no
great warriors, because wars shall have
ceased, and when even the need of great
statesmen shall have passed, since man
kind will have outlived the infirmities
that demand legislative restriction. But
the day can never come on this earth " hen
men Ill not die A healthy race, obedient
to the laws Of right living, will require few
doctors, doctors truly, in that their chief
function will then be the teaching of SAM
tary principles and the tuition demanded
for the highest physical develOpment,) but
these few will be crowned with the laurel
that once rested only upon the brow of the
soldier, and with the bay that was reserved
solely for the jurist and the poet.
The mind makes many pictures, and this
is one that often delights me.
In the realm where there will be no use
for doctors, but where many doctors shall
be, it shall come to pass that beside the river
Of living waters and under the trees whose
leaves are for the healing of nations, each
upon his little knoll of emerald sward, the
good doctors shall be seated. Celestial airs
borne from the trembling wires of harps at
tuned to praise the Great Physician and
mingle with the divine odors Of amaranth
and asphodel shall pass by on the soft pulls
ing breeze. And around each doctor shall
be the gathering, small or great,
as the case may be, of them to
whom he mlnlstered on earth. They shall
press forward with lips no longer dumb,
with hands no longer afraid to tell by
their clasp what even the lips might not
like to say, and with eyes blazing full and
warm from the unmasked soul. Aud from
lips and hands and eyes shall come measure
less requital. And the little ones-the little
ones whose first wall and last sigh the good
doctors heard, they shall come with purest
kisses and pretty pattlng palms, with sweet
thanks and caressing, as only the always
angels know. And then
The picture fades softly and slowly away.