The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-06-30
ADDRESS

BY DR.. II. p. HUGUs.

Society, June 16th, 1881.
BY DR.. II. r. HUGUs.
1t appears almost superfuous in an audience
composed OF physicians and physicians wives
| to make the statement that when.we have un-
der our care patients who are seriously ill, we
are not then in n frame of mind conducive to
line of thought which will evolve a very brill
liant literary production The mind being har-
assed and preOccupied precludes the directing
! it in any other channel than that which has
| direct bearing upon the case in charge. For
| seme time such has been my status, which fact
offer in cxtenuation of the insuficiency and
incompleteness of my present production.
The custom of this Society. which requires the
presiding officer. when vacating his chair to his
| successor, to terminate his Official career with
an address. furnishes q good opportunity for
offering such suggestions as he may consider
useful in advancing the general interests OF
| medicine. No special subjects are prescribed
| but in accordance with the es stablished CUSTOM
we have recently had papers upon medical edu-
| cation; the qualifications and attainments nee.
essary preparatory to the study and pursuit OF
medicine; alr designed to exalt the claims of
our profession and promote higher standard
OF qualification. q more honorable bearing and
a greater devotion among its members. .I.u
j shall connne myself to no particular topic.
deavor to give expression to some thoughts
/ which may prove appropriate for considera-
| tion. hoping they may prove of some Importance
to the local Profession, ,and be germ from which
may spring living organism. " hich in the end
may prove fruitful in advantages to us.
| First: With reference to our monthly meet
| ings, During the last year they have not been
attended with that punctuality and regularity
| which their Importance demands and merits.
Of
ment of medical knowledge; the elevation OF
professional character; the protection of the
interests of its members; the extension of the
bounds OF medical science. and the promotion
OF all measures adapted to the relief of suffer-
ing and to improve the health and protect the
lives OF the community" demonstrate what q
factor for good our meetings may be made if
each mefr ber will contribute his time and tai
snts to render them Many times profession
al engagements preclude attendance. but at
others. worry trivial causes are to the member
himself sufficient to deter him frpn attending.
We have in our midst physicians who doubt
the utility ofour Society, and extend that as an
excuse for not becoming associated with us or.
having united. for non attendance. The utility
OF our organization can scarcely be deemed an
open question-nor is ii my purpose to go into
its defense With such dispute it. an argu-
Aent in its favor would avail but little. We
that we derive more practical knowledge from
the interchange OF thought and experience with
our fellow members than we can possibly OBJ
tain in our attendance upon large bodies where
subjects OF speculative and theoretical. rather
than those of practical nature. are treated of
and discussed. Where the advantage of our
organization are not apparent the fault lies not
in the Association, but in the fault of its men,
bers rightly to discharge their duties. Some re.
m ain aloof from their unwillingness TO be gov
crned by our laws. These laws are based on
the Code of Eteics. which is sustained by the
highest professional authority. and is but the
transcript or the daily conduct OF every right
minded. honorable man 1t requires OF no one
the abandonment of amy right, whilst it de-
mands but the simple recognition of the rights
Of others. To refuse obedience to its injunction
Indicates a radical defect of character; and he |
who refuses ordcclines association with US from |
any such pretcNt. gives the best possible evil |
dcnce OF his entire unitncss Tor such assOcia-
ton. 't -'i. zee f-
The status of the profession ITSELF and its re- |
laton to the community, must ever commit and |
thoughtful regard OF all its right minded men, |
bers. In our profession, perhaps more than in
any other. there is tendency to individual iso-
lation, and in consequence there is often a |
marked absence OF an " Esprit dc Corps.'' To |
gentlemen should occasionally be brought in |
contact with each other, and in the freedom of
professional and social intercourse convert the |
asperitics into the amenities Of life. An addi- |
tiOnal incentive to the maintaining an Organi- |
zatiOn and being frequent and regular in at |
tendance is found in the moral strength there
by afforded for the maintenance of sound ethics |
and the eonsequent establishments of the regu-
lar physician in that high position which he !
should ever sustain in the esteem Of an enlight-
ened community. As q science. medicine has |
attained its present position, not by the pre- |
mitigation of brilliant theories. nor the deduc- |
tions OF abstract philosophy. but by the careful |
solution of the facts and experience derived |
from its past history; by an earnest, systematic |
and united effort OF those engaged in its study |
and practice; the communication OF every sue |
cessiul investigation into the nature Of disease,
and every observation of the valuable action of /
a new remedy, or the unexpected effects of an
old one. These facts are readily communicated |
in just such societies as ours but muit, howev-
er. be verified and confirmed by the laborious
and practical teachings OF the bedside. of the
microscope and the scalpel They may. never
theless. be made to accrue largely to the benefit
of our profession and patrons. il, at our month
ly meetings the treatment Of our prevailing To-
cal diseases are discussed, different modes OIL
treatment compared. and that selected which
affords the most success. '.''
The faithful physician regards himself as con-
stantly liable to endure hardship as good sol
dier. In the ministrations pertsfning to his pro-
fession. He, as it were, instinctively sacrifices
repose and SOCIAL comfort to the calls of suffer.
ing humanity, In seasons of pestildnce when
others fee, he is at the post of duty, ready for
the work of healing. His exertiOns are bcstow-
ed upon the subjects of squalid poverty as well |
as upon the afduent. He endurcs not only toll
and privation but his sense of responsibility is
often well nigh beyond endurance There are, /
however, iwen-springs Of remunerative enjoy
ment for every practitioner who performs his
duty faithfully. He is sustained by the wise
and good, and encouraged by the gratitude of 7
the humble and lowly.f He is cheered by an
intelligent hope Of successful issue to be con-
ferred by his skill; ne enjoys to the full the
luxury OF doing good, and is continually pick
ing fragrant flowers along the pathway of truth
and duty and his toll may be sweetened by
joyous enthusiasm which elevates MIN above
the cares and trials of professional life. The
greater number of his acts are performed unos-
far away from the gaze Of men,
and although unknown, unseen and uns knowl-
edged there is we trust faithful record Of them
which will be brought forth on that final day,
when the Great Master will say to all who proye
faithful: 81 was sick and We visited MOI
But although he may have the consciousness
Of doing good, and the final reward may be bea- Il
tifc, and he be one of those such as are won't to
display
- Labors OF good to man,
Unpublished charity; unbroken faith;
Love that midst grief began,
And grew with years, and faItcred not in
DEATH"
yet. the necessities or life the maintenance of
family, the securing of competence to be made
available when old age shall incapacitate iom
the active duties of life. requires some more
remuneration. When we compute the
capital investcd-the time and money spent in
acquiring knowledge of and ability to practice
medicine, our realizations financially are much
less than that Of those engaged in any other
pursuit in life. This is in great measure due to