Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-07

tholoeist infesroeatsd de liver, ths hsart ~
| the kidneys, and elieif&- from these orRani
important symptoms, which complete thu
'.totalitv" and aid in the selection Of the
remedy
1T has been held to be the criterion of 8
true natural science" says Durham, s.thai
| new discoveries, new sciences extend and en-.
rich it, unite with in simplifying the horizon
Of human knowledge and power, but never
contradict or eupersede il. nor are ever in
different to it." If homeopathy, the science
OF therapeutics, be hostile to pathology, the
science of disease. this fact alone would be
its condemnation.
We need better pathology in our text books.
In everything save treatment, the old school
works are far superior. In etiology, semeio-
iogy, and differential diagnosis, We have no
practice equal to Niemeyer, Reynolds,
Watson or Ziemssen; no Obstetrics
worthy to rank with CazeSux.
Rambortham. LeisLman, Meadows or Play
TAR; no Gynecology comparable with
Thomas, Emmett, Barnes or Scauxoni; no
work on diseases of children worthy of men
ton beside the magnificent treatise of Meigs
and Pepper. In Surgery alone, we are not
obliged to blush at the contrast 1t is idle to
plead in extenuation, that our rivals have
the accumulated experience of twenty centu-
ries, while we have not vet reached our first
centennial. We are '.the heir of all the
ages as well as they. Our writers can 60 to
the same sources of knowledge and drink from
the same fount of medical lore, if they will
The researches of Tester upon chronic
aortitis and Of Dr. BlacEley upon hay fever
are only an earnest of the laurels. which
await us in the field We have too long neglect
ed.
We mead tbnl~ -
Many of the cases reported as models of
therapeutic precision are, in reality, exam
Piles only Of pretenfious ignorance and con-
ceit. Men who openly boast that they know
little and care less about pathology, whose
writings all prove that their diagnoses are
superficial and unreliable, demand that We
accept unquestioned their reports of cures,
which may well be styled miraculous.
We need better knowledge of pathology in
our every day practice. True, it may, in
homely phrase, take the conceit out of many
OF US. 1t may teach US, that some of our most
remarkable cures were errors in diagnosis
1t may inspire US with greater respect for the
els nedicatriI nature. and lead US to think
less highly of our own eminent abilities
Nevertheless we need it. Surrounded by
vigilant enemies, eager to detect the slightest
flaw. We cannot afford to neglect it. Without
it, diagnosis and prognosis are but the wild
est guess-work; and if we make gross blum
ders in these, no matter how judicious the
treatment may be, our reputation, our prac-
tice and the cause of homeopathy will suffer.
If we fail to recognize a contagious disease
in its early stages. and allow the malady to
carry desOlation to other homes, no amount
of therapeutic skill will serve as an apology
for our criminal ignorance. Upon the accur-
acy of our diagnosis, often hang the issues of
life or death. In purely medical case we
may cure our patients without knowing the
exact nature of their diseases; but if we fail
to recognize surgical malady-if, for in
stance, we confOund concealed strangulated
hernia with enteritis or peritonitis, and rely
upon drugs. when we should use the knife,
the result will inevitably be fatal. Better
knowledge of etiology will explain the fail
ures of the past and guide us to more brilliant
success in the future. We have often failed
to cure dysmenorrhpa, because we did not
discover the cause of the SUFFERING con.
tractcd os and cervix which no medicine
could dilate-a mechanical obstacle demand
ing mechanical treatment. Especially
do we need to study the won
derful complex phenomena of reflex
symptoms. Pneumonia of the upper lobes in
children may simulate meningitis so closely
as to deceive even experienced physicians.
An excruciating pain in the hip may be only
the reflex manifestation of chronic endomet-
ritis. Thorough acquaintance with
pathology will inspire us with judi
cious skepticism. 1t will teach us that
post hoe is not always propter hoe. 1t will
enable us, in any given case, to decide wheth-
er the favorable change is due to the action
of remedy or to the natural course of the
disease. Enthusiastic credulity will give way
to intelligent judgment. Reasonable GER
tainty will take the place of doubt.
Let us then summon to our aid all the re-
sources of medical science. Let neither the
ridicule nor the abuse Of the self.appointed
champions of Hahnemann deter us from do
ing right; for we hold with Father Herring,
that ''In the world of science, through con-
flict and trial we come to the possession of
truth"
At the conclusion of this mastery effort,
on motion of DR.. w. l.. Thompson, a vote
of thanks was unanimously passed for the
able, interesting and practical address of the
president.
Verbal reports were made from the Bureau
of Obstetrics, GynecOlogy and Pharmacy.
and interesting papers submitted.
The customary vote of thanks to the rail-
roads and to the city government of Augusta
was passed for favors shown.
Adjourned to meet in Augusta June 9th,
1855.