National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-08
DoCToR-CLERKs.

20 me hdN0F.
Tho few articles which have appeared in
The REPUBLICAN, concerning government
employees working at outside callings have
drawn the attention of the professions in
general more especially the medical profess
sion, to this demoraliZing and destructive
system which has been permitted to grow up
in the community until it threatens the
dignity and effectiveness of every calling
You will have noted that tho Homeopathic
Medical society, at its meeting on Tuesday
evening, passed the following resolutions
RSsolped That no physician practicing medicine
and gaining n livelihood by any other business or
profession shall be Eligible to membership in this
society.
1t is now to be expected that the allopaths
will, for the maintenance of that official dig
niJy-if for no other reason-which has ever
surrounded the science of medicine, pass q
resolution similar to that passed by the
homeopathic, and 80 force men to become
regular physicians or regular clerks.
1t would be interesting to ascertain the
number of clerks in the various departments
who practice the medical profession from the
close of office, at A p. M, until 8 q. m. the
next morning. / do not here allude TO all
mon in departments calling themselves "doc-
tors" and who skirmish in the field of medi-
cine on occasions Of forlorn hopes" or when
their special friends invite their services and
whose name is legion" so to speak, for
there is no bureau without its doctors"
speak of men who, as chiefs of bureaus and
clerks. draw regular salaries, and who add to
these very liberal salaries by openly prac-
ticing the profession of medicine. Leaving
out that pride Of profession, which is Of such
marked character in medicine, this system
works gross and palpable injury and injustice
to the men who mako medicine their regular
and sole employment.
/ might cite the case, az an illustration, of
gentleman who fills tho honorable position
of chief of bureau in one of the departmental,
whom l often meet professionally and other
wise, and who, am free to acknowledge, has
as much medical practice as any regular
practitioner, and whom | consider good
physician. This gentleman receives some
where about 1900 from the government, and
IL has always seemed to me most unfair that
he should be permitted to take the bread out
of the mouths of the families of the regular
practitioners; for it is that and nothing else.
OF course, he can we'll afford to work for
less than professional wages" and still pile
up both money and property, while the "regu-
lars" are glad to live decently, believing that
the honor and position which their profession
gives them in tho community are. to q large
degree, satisfactory offsets to money making.
Fortunately the profession of medicine, un-
like the calling Of the poor walters whom
you SO generously defended, has the power
to settle this question without appealing to
the honor or pride which should, but which
does not, prevail in departments. and which
should regulate this matter without the aid
of the public. Let the medical fraternity Of
Washington, therefore, say to the govern
clerk but If you desire to be physician re-
sign your desk and 1.-Two by your profession
like gentleman. Very respectfully.
WASHINGTON, Feb 6. MEDICo.