The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-15
[For the Dispatch.]
Ministers and Doctors-Thefr Recfpro-
cal Relations and Oblts aetons.
RICHMOND, March II, 1Sl

RICHMoND, March II, 1875.
Afessrs. EQitors,-As member Of the
Academy of Medicine Of this city who op.
posed the resolutions looking to the chars-
ing of ministers of the Gospel for medical
services, desire to say q word or two in re-
ply to the communication of DrS. Jeter and
Dickinson which appeared in the Dispatch
of Yesterday.
And first, desire to correct a few mis-.
takes into which these gentlemen have fallen.
The Academy did not intend to visit tine
sins of these gentlemen upon the heads Of
ministers generally. Their" certificate" was
simply the occasion and not the cLuse Of the
resolutions.
There is no lar preventing doctors from
charging preachers. 1t has been, from time
out of mind, the custom not to charge them ;
though think in some sections. Of late, this
custom has been departed from. Should a
minister, however. become engaged in any
secular employment from which pay is de-
riyed-such as editing Il private paper-he
forfeis this claim upon the Faculty. This
is equally true of doctor who may become
a farmer or merchant. The propriety of
this is evident. So much FOR the "mis-
takes" in the article referred to.
Drs. Jeter and Dickinson say that the
offices of the minister in visiting the doctors
sick family and burying bis dead is an Offset
to the doctors medical attendance upon the
minister's family. This is not true, because
the pastoral duties of the minister evidently
embrace this as part Of the work for which
he was employed; and the doctors pew.reut
and his other contributions to the church 60
towards paying bis part Of the salary.
From time i!Dmemoral ministers and doc.
tors have been on the best terms, and it IS
devouty to be hoped that they may ever
continue to be. At one time the doctor was
the priest, 6r the priest was the doctor. The
minister, therefore, should be the last man
to array himself against the medical profess
sion. Any reflection upon the Faculty re-
fleets upon the ministers own medical attend
ant. 1t has always been a real pleasure to
obey the summons of minister Of Jesus
Chrisr-a man Of one Work-aud any pecu
MARY compensation would have lowered the
duty and the pleasure, too. This is the feel.
ing of the profession generally. But were
doctor TO ask of the minister for this labor
certificate of character and skill be would
kill himself in the estimation Of every hon
orable physician, and would not, | oplne,
elevate himself in the opinion Of any senSi.
bic divine.
| have no doubt ministers are sometimes
taken unawares, and in the kindness Of their
hearts give certificates to quacks. These TN
principled charlatanS seek the minister's aid
because of his influence in the community !:
but it is for this very reason that the minister
should be very guarded in giving his certifi-
cate. No man, much less minister, should
certify to anything that he has not full
knouledqe of. A man who would certify to
the capacity of teacher Of German who
himself bad never studied that language
would stultify himself; and yet these cases
are not unlike. Had Drs. Jeter e. Dickinson
certified to "cough mixture" or rheumatic
remedy which they had used themselves, it
would not have been so bad. But wh.n
they say that this stranger in Richmond
can cure 'cancer and consumption Tor
scrofula. which is the same thing,) they
"pit" him against the whole medical world,
ancient and modern. Doctors and surgeons
for 1000, years have, after the sHEAA Andest
study anu all sorts. of experI
sadly tathe conclusions SsshessS
rule, cannot be cured oSs4s
the world they would be first t6 1e
skies the man who should make the great dis.
covery. He who should be thus fortunate
need not be carpet.basg ger"; but it
would only be necessary to say achere he
Hced, and patients would cross the seas in
search of him. But l am not disposed to
pursue this unpleasant matter further. l
am sorry it Was ever mooted.
1t is to be confessed with shame and sad
ness that the tendency abroad is to loacer
the ethical tone, and to disregard custom and
established authority. If the learned pro-
fessions do not set their face as a flint
against it, the descent will be rapid indeed.
W. w. PARKER, N. u.
P.S. 1t would have been more agreeable
to make this communication anonymous,
but under the circumstances it is not
allowable. w. W. 2.