Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-24
MEETING OF THE STATE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION TODAY.


Association in this city to-day, brings
together a class of men who are students
and practitioners Of a science when
deals specially with the individual Ite'
To heal the sick, restore sight to the
blind, bind up the broken limb and set
the human organism in order for health
full activity, is the grand mission Of the
medical profession to humanity.
When the Worlds Great Physician"
entered upon a like work, great mguIdItEI-
IuUUS TVIIOwcu Inn, OeaiLhS 'ho oiSN'
the halt and the blind within reach Of
His healing power; there was no retreat
so secluded that He could escape their
opportunities; no circumstances that
awaited to keep back the pressure ofthe
public appeals; they tore up the roof OF
the house in which He was teaching to
let the sick patient down before Him.
So in exact proportion to the degree
of skill acquired by the physician Otto
day, will he draw to himself the atten-
ton of mankind and share the exalted
estimate which has in all ages been ae-
corded to the healing art. So, too, the
profession is advancing in proportion as
it is known to have mastered the diff
cult problems of medical science, and is
prepared 10 offer substantial benefits to
humanity.
Andthe medical profession IS advanc-
ing. We might cite many examples of
wonderful discoveries which men of re-
search and skill are adding to the re-
sources of medical science. We ave
i'm mind two of most recent date which
are worthy of note in this connection:
The one furnishes plausible explana-
ton Of the causes of mans most fatal
malady, tubercular disease; and the
other promises a cure not alone for this,
but many other of the most prevalent
diseases of the times.
We refer, in the first instance, TO the
alleged discovery that tubercular diseas-
es, such, for instance, as pulmonary
consumption, are due to parasitic de-
velopments, and the consequent explo-
sion of the old theory, if this is estab-
lished, that pulmonary consumption is
either a hereditary or incurable disease.
The second is the claim of the great
French scientist, DECLAT, that picnic
acid is a specific and almost infaliible
remedy for the diseases which are the
work of animal germs; that it will ar
rest the disease process in cancer; that
it~s-if6rTJrs,- n 'ruaUTGS us UU laugh af
scarlet fever, small pOx, Group, blood
poisoning, asthma-all ofwhich, accord
ing to this distinguished authority,
yield almost miraculously to hypoder-
mic applications OF picnic acid. The
acid is extremely volatile, and when in
trOdueed into the system it seeks every
avenue of escape-by the lungs, the
skin and k~idueys-thus coming in con-
tact with every tissue and destroying as
it goes the seeds of the disease which
work injury and death.
If One-half that is claimed for these
discoveries be well founded, it is diff
cult to estimate their value to mankind.
Millions of lives may every year be
saved to the world if they be true.
We might speak more particularly of
the progress manifested by the medical
profession of u own State in recent
years, but while its membership have
not essayed to startle the world with
new discoveries, or examples ofsuperior
skill, it is gratifying to know that, as a
profession it is measuring up to the
highest standard in practice, to the most
rigid requirements as a qualification,
and aspiring to the highest plane Of
professional skill.
The meeting of the State association
to-day may be classed as a public
event." because its entire aims and OBJ
jects are of public Importance, and We
are sure that the intelligent public will
accord it a due share of attention, eS-
pecially as the association has arranged
its programme with n special view of
entertaining the laity as we'll as them
selves