The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-26
TIE VERY REFINEMENT OF INHV.
MAINLY.

TIE VERY REFINEMENT OF INHV-
MAINLY.
SOME months since we took occasion TO
notice approvingly the sction Of New
York medical society, by which they de-
clared against the foolish and absurd tx
clusiveness of rival schools of seeaiciHe, and
IN the matter of bedside COM
parsons of notes and treatment and consul
tations between members or disciples OF
these various schools. The society in
question felt and so stated that such re-
fusals to consult with each other, especially
between ..allasaths and homepaths, in
cases where both are called in to attend the
same patient, or IN many accidental but i'm.
portsnt. meetings, were not only an indica
ton OF narrow mindedness, but frequently
productive of the most serious results.
They, therefore, in as mild terms as posi-
BILE condemned the professional etiquette
aud exclusiveness manifested in the prem
Uses, and suggested free and general consul
tstions: whenever the occasion therefor
arose between physicians Of any and all
recognized schools or schools based upon
bona fids. national or scientific theory OF
medicine. The main fight, Of course, and
the chief application of the suggestions OF
this progressive society, is as between the
allopaths on the one hand and the homeo-
paths ON the other. Within the past few
months, not to go farther back, many cases
have attracted. public attention, showing
the wisdom and humanity in the sugges-
ton of free consultation and the utter and
criminal inhumanity and rank absurdity in
the practice Of refusing to recognize, labor
with or'consult with the physicians OF the
other school, which is adopted by
the allopaths and homeopathic. In one
chance case in Ohio where an allOpathic and
homeopathic physician reached a crushed
man each at the same time and when
neither could claim the case, both refused
to act together. and before another physi-
clan could be summoned, the man had bled
to death. The statement looks incredible
but is vouched for. Just the other day an
equally strong case was published and COM
mented on, in Chicago paper, OF extensive
circulation. An allopathic surgeon abrupt
ly lett the room At most critical moment
in the case Of child whose skull had been
crushed in upon the brain, giving as his ex'
cuse that the code would not permit him
to consult with an exclusive" He had
been called as the nearest physician,
and the arrival of the child's family doctor,
q hom1opath, was the r.ason for his de.
parture. In this day of broad
sympathies and liberty in thought and
generous concession Of conflicting opinions
such intolerance OF dissimilar views in q
matter affecting human life and health ia
almost inoonceivable. II PERSISTED in, tina
science which should of all others lead the
car Of progress will stand forth prominently
as the most backward and illiberal OF all
and its members, men who will sacrifice
life to sticking over piece of ridiculous
professional etiquette will become the
laughing stock of the age. There Is scarce
ly school of thought OF the day whether
in politics or commerce or social science
or medicine that has not something valua
BILE within its creed and experience to i'm
part to humanity. The age is such that
no school of study and research, whatever
may be the field and distinctive Objects il
an unnixed evil or entirely devoid OF use
full information and practical experience
For anyone class of scientists, and medi
cine 10 claimed as q science, to ignore. all
consultation or communication with all
other classes, although in the same line o
labor and research, is the very height
ofabsurdity and vanity and narrow minded
ness. Such prstentions relegate the claim
ants to that category who fancy that wis
dom must die with them. But aside from
its opposition to the liberal and progressiv,
spirit of the day, the practical results o
such exclusiveness are often lamentable il
the extreme. To carry into effect such
code Of professional ethics where thu
clashes are now bound TO be SO frequent 1
to be inhuman. In both the cases referre,
to above the physicians who refused u
render relief to dying man when it was Il
their power to do so, were guilty moral.
Of the most contemptibly refined species G
homicide. Not to save man when it is i
our power, even though we ourselves ru
risks is base, but not to save him when "
can do so without any incor
venience to ourselves or by ret
son of ridiculous intolerance {
the views Of the man who is at the time b
our sde,is species Of refinement in cruelt
professional etiquette and ethics that tn
medical or any other profession win hav
difficulty in impressing upon the public a
right or proper or even excusable. tn
wise course, the humane course, the cours
in keeping with the liberalism and progres
OF the day, will dictate free consultation
with any and all persons who profes
knowledge Of and interest in the subject |
any emergency of the character referred t
that may arise. We trust that the day
not distant when the medical profession, q
have all others, will drop much Of its hal
splitting theorizing and exclusiveness, an
infuse more of the broad practical common
sense Of the day into their practice an
study.
B NORTH md SOUTH.
| Notwithstanding the boasted superiorit
ofthe north over the south. in the matter
|. enforcement Of and respect for the laws
/. the land, . cold investigation Of facts wi
. disclose the absurdity Of this claim. tt