New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
MEDICINE AND SANITARY SCIENCE.

MEDItIhE avn DhNiI1hI p'iE-'NH'
The outbreak of typhoid fever in Port Jeryis
has caused a revolt not only against the milk
can, but also against the medicine bottle. The
doctors have been suffered to have their own
way for a season, but the increasing prevalence
of the disease and the alarming number of
deaths recorded have created not n little preju-
dice in the town against drugs and regular prac-
titioncrs. This feeling has encouraged the hygi-
cnsts to hold two public meetings and to de-
nouncc the medical fraternity for its indiscrimi-
mating use of medicines having no curative
properties and also for its ignorance OF the or
binary principles of hygiene. Naturally the doc
tors were sharply criticised for differing so radi
cally among themselves in regard to the nature
and best method of treating the prevailing cpl
dcmic. If the hygicnists could have agreed for
their own part on the same matters of contro-
vcrsy they could have emphasized these strict
ures Unfortunately they could not do this
One of the hygicnists described the fever not
rs an enemy to be subjugated by drugs and
Authorization, but rs n friend to be welcomed
and appreciated as giving timely warning of the
flcccts.of dyspepsia, improper or excessive food,
lack of cleanliness and disregard of sanitary
precautions. While disposed to admit that the
prevailing disease WAS typhoid or cnteric fever,
he contcndcd that under hygienic treatment,
with frequent baths and partial or total absti-
ncnce from food, the patient invariably recov-
cred Another hygicnist regarded the disease
as a form of bilious fever attributable mainly To
the unsanitary condition of the lower part of
the town. but was confident that it could be
cured. not by indiscriminatc drug-giving, but
I &C his nsaI in
small quantities. Another speaker considered
the name of the disease minor point; 1t was
fever of some kind, and every fever was n
symptom of disOrdered system and was to be
treated on general MISREPRESENTATION drugs.
One hygicnist considered it not unlikely that a
certain dairy had been a prolific source OF the
disease. and condemned the use Of sweet milk
a. food for adults, particularly for sick people.
He recommended skinned milk as preferable
10 cream because the carbon in it has been
largely removed. He was Immediately an
swered by another hygienist, who argued that
milk was the best form of food and that the
carbon supplied by cream was needed by the
system for keeping up animal heat. In this way
the foes of the druS-Opathists' contrycd to
vary their own views and methods while COM
bining against the evils of medicine.
II is scarcely necessary, and certainly neither
prudent nor discreet. for us to express de-
cided opinion respecting the merits of this con-
troversy The assertion that doctors give either
too much or too little medicine would be rcck-
less challenge to a contentious profession that
would burden our crowded columns for weeks
TO come with acrimonious correspondence. We
shall not be so rash rs to discuss the question of
drug giving, but shall content ourselves with
the simple remark that meetings, like these III
Port Jervis, tending to promote practical
knowledge Of hygicnic principles and methods,
are highly to be commended. little knowl-
edge of medicine may be dangerous thing,
but practical acquaintance with the rudlments
of sanitary science Is helpful to individuals and
communities Let 1t remain an open question
whether the regular practitioners of Pert Jervis
are curing or killing their patients with pills
and decoctOns. 1t Is true, nevertheless, that If
increased knowledge respecting the laws of by
gicne had been attended with vigilance and
practical skill in protecting the town against
heresults of unsanitary conditions, the epidemic
would not have appeared.