The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-03
Grandeur Of the Ideal Physicians
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SignOr Max in the Detroit Free Pras

[Signor Max in the Detroit Free Press.l
"a physician should not only be ever ready
to obey the calls of the sick but his mind
ought also to be imbued with the greatness of
his mission and the responsibility he habtual-
lY incurs in its discharge. These obligations
are the more deep and enduring because there
is no tribunal other than his conscience to adj
judge penalties tor carelessness or neglect
Physicians should, therefore, minister to the
sick with due impressions of the importance
of their office, rejecting that the ease, the
health, and the lives of those committed to
their charge depend on their SKILL attention
and fidelity. They should study also in their
department so to unite tenderness with f7Naness
and c0ndescensaon with authority as to inspire
the minds of their patients with gratitude, re-
spect and confidence. ~ Article /, Code of
Medical Ethics.
That is the law imposed by the medical fac
ulty upon themselves by solemn and formal
adoption in 1S47. So far as it goes | accept it
as an accurate definition of the Ideal Physi-
clan. You preceive that do not employ the
word ideal in its exact sense, for that would
require me to ask the perfection of human viz
the and wisdom-a condition which does not
exist.
Strictly speaking, the ideal is creature en-
tirely OF the imagination. Physicians are tan
gible facts We must therefore here restrict
the ideal within the bounds of reasonable hui
man possibilities because it is not proposed to
make an impossible standard. My respect for
the major ethics of the profession obliges me
so soar very high, however; and the physi-
clan who mounts with me must plume his pin
ions for no feeble flight
shall assume that persons who read this
chapter have done me like honor respecting
those which have preceded it. Technical edu-
cation is the first consideration. Without it
no man can sit for the portrait which has tax
en- form and body in my mind. may there
fore pass the question of the ideal physicians
fitness to enter the career, and begin with him
flll-fedged.
He subscribes to spirit and letter of that
clause Of the Code which declares that ''there
is no profession from the members of which
greater purity of character and higher
standard of moral excellence are required than
the medical" In his private and in his pro-
fessional life he is constantly loyal to the
highest standard Of personal purity When
occasions come he is ready to quicken and
confirm all good resolves of moral banzrupts
whom he finds on beds of pain. Therein he is
the minister of virtue, whose authoritative
counsel results in greater practical good than
all other moral medicines compounded in that
laboratory we call the world Nor is this in
fluence restricted to his patients His associ-
in ha oo1,lfr
effects; and they in turn learn to administer
it to others as an elixir to restore the moral
healthfulness Of whole communities He is
the man whose sympathies broaden and deep
en- as human frailties multiply within his Wis
ion, and every days experience starts into re-
newed activity his consciousness of the sacred
character of his trust. He is the faithful de-
positary ofthe secrets of our physical and moral
infirmities. Beyond his lips these never 60
Priest nor confessional is SO burdened as he.
and the relentless world has no rack or thumb
screw devilishly ingenious enough to wiring
from him one secret, one confidence on which
he has turned the key and once shut out in
quisitorial eyes. 1t is small wonder that the
grandeur of such character is softened and
subdued by compassion. 1t is a great marcel
that he remains courageous, selfpoised, erect,
strong and hopeful in the midst of our en-
feeblements You shall follow him on his
round; take note of the gentle patience that
marks his intercourse with unreasoning, dis
ordered and tetchy humanity; partake of the
cheeriness which he carries into its abiding
n1aooc. ohc !, co1or
fulness for every f1uctuation of disease; be
witness to those rebelious moods which are
the demons that often sit chattering and grin
ming by the sick mans pillow-do all these
things and you shall not find him surrender
that grand superiority which is his warrant of
command where life and death are in the heat
of conflict. He waves his magician's wand,
and Delirium yields the battle ground to Sleep;
he speaks a reassuring word, and the smiles of
Hope chase hence the culver on the lips of
Fear; he issues his commands, and Obedience
flies to do his bidding. None may question
him or doubt his supremacy. The bedside is
his Kingdom by right of conquest over dis
ease. There he is royal-his throne the hearts
of those to whose beloved he has brought the
healing balm; his sceptre their grateful bless
ings, and his crown the suffering he has con-
quered Honor him, all men, honor the King.
The Ideal Physician has none of that cyni-
cism which is distinguishing sign of meaner
minds Human obliquities never excite in him
anger or derision. Contrarily, they quicken
the sympathetic impulse of his expanding
and generous nature and he is chiefly con-
cerned to set them straight. He believes in
the greatness and dignity of his calling; he
manfully accepts its toilful days and broken
nights. Our poor, pitiful cries for help ring