The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-09-29
HAWAHANGAZETTE
tFrOn the BrnsssnO eseeeslAndsr. Jnly. IsTSl Z
The "GItt,, in Medical Practice.

The "Gsifts in Medical Practice
The medical profession is recognized by law.
Il is authorised to demand some proOfirom those
who practise the art, that they have studied its
principles. and that they have qualified them
selves to undertake the responsibilities attached
to the profession. No one will deny that posses
sion OF special skin may be tested and ascertain
ed by persons qualified to judge of attachments
such as those which are acquired in the study
and practice of medicine and Of surgery. Human
lie is the most precious Of all possessions. 1t
ought not TO be subject to the caprice Of any en-
piric who may volunteer his services. 1t is diff
cult to measure the credulity of the ignorant
and, therefore, it is only right to place some
bounds to the extent Of the mischief which may
be perpetrated by designing charlsians who trade
upon the folly or the weakness Of their fellow
creatures A civilized people cannot dispense
with tie standards Of authority IN such matters.
II is only right, therefore, that persons who claim
TO exercise the privilege OF prescribing the treat
ment to be pursued where life and death are at
issue should understand the conditions upon
which they profess to practise the healing art.
Necessary as this is, it is also necessary to ex-
enti6c appreciation, which may only be device to
anime somewhat closely at times into the oondi-
tons upon which these prescrptive privileges are
exercised. The learned professions are often too
apt to surround themselves with nimbus of sci
gioriiy their shallow pedantry in the estimation
Of those who are content TO accept the testi-
mony thus provided for them. The Sydney
Medical Society has lately been stirred TO its
centre by the criticism which Professor Smith
has applied 10 the Legislative Council 10 bill
purporting to prescribe the conditions upon which
the profession should be praciised. This appa-
reutly be did in the interests of that higher in
tuitive nrt which sometimes is found to outstrip
the fornalities of science. 1t is not with science
itself that Professor Smith falls out it is rather
with that exclusive professional spirit which
seems to assume that no science can exist outside
Of the charmed circle Of degrees and diplomas.
Good 10 themselves, these testimonials in turn
require to be tested and it is scarcely surprising
that the Dean of Faculty Of Medicine in the Uni
versity OF Sydney should have reused the indig-
nant protestation of the medical fraternity when
be speaks TO them so plainly as be has lately
done. Professor Smith has said, without circum-
location, that among medical practitioners there
are many who are ignorant, many who are skilllul,
many who are Incorporate, and, if there are any
grounds for such an accusation it is not surprs-
ing that, in addition TO this, he should say that
human lives are thus daily endangered. After
ALL what be asks for is not only the guarantee Of
q diploma, and of supposed scientific attainments
but something more, apparently than any degree
can give. He sets up claim for medicine as
an art, which is something more than medicine as
a science. BE even goes further, and seems to
think that there is natural power of insight .
into the forms of disease which Is superior to sci
ence, and which is often never attained BY those
possessing much scientific knowledge. This in
sight then, is gift, possessing q special value,
the result probably Of much experience, and is
capable, as some high medical authorities think,
Of anticipating diagnosis which science itself
would fail to reach. But this gift, or whatever
else Or. Smith may call it, can scarcely be
measured BY any tests which learned bodies can
apply. and it is not surprising that the profession
should set itself up against the admission of such
Q standard, It is Just as well, however, that we
should be reminded, by one entitled to speak
with all the weight of authority, that there is an
art beyond the art Of science which learned bod
les cannot define, aud which outstrips the ordlna-
~ attainments Of the ordinary diplomatist who
has nothing bat parchment as his recommends
ton. Professor Smith, however, must make up
his mind to submit to the contumely of the assO-
GATED brotherhood. The fraternity is not thus
TO be lbelled. The profession must be wildcat
ed even il the legislator, in his zeal for the pub
lie, has to be condemned.
And then, passing from Sydney to Melbourne,
we find simultaneously another illustration of the
operation Of the law in connection with the med-
cal profession. QuOck Ping, native of China
learned man as it is said, and lieentiate of a
college of doctors in the province of Chung Low
applies for mandamus to compel the Medical
Board to register him as practitioner Of medi-
cine But the Medical Board are obdurate. 1t
is quite possible that his scientific attachments
may be equal to learned NJ. D. If bis ordinary
treatment Of patients who come to consult him be
empirical, that is nothing new in the profession.
He can, at least plead the proof Of his attain
ments BY the success Of his treatment Where
Others have failed be has succeeded, and that
even in hopeless cases abandoned by European
doctors An this he has in his favor. besides
his diplomas. But, then, his English is imper
feet. He has not graduated at London, or at
Edinburgh, or at Dublin, and be has never walk
ed the hospitals at Paris. How then can we ex-
pect learned body Of men to admit an outside
barbarian to parity Of practice with themselves.
What, after all, is experience without the guaran-
tee of sound scientific education Mr. Quock
Ping may be all very well in his own country,
but the mere fact that be has effected cures in
cases which have defed the skill of learned mem
bers of the profession even in the advanced colo
ny Of Victoria, can be no justification for confer
ring upon him the honors which the Medical
Board are entitled to bestoE. BE must be con-
tent to cure people without this distinction bat
let him beware, if anyuureasOnable patient should
slip oct Of his hands into the unknown distance
the home of his ancestors, then Mr.. Quock Ping
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