Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-27
THE PRESENT OF THE MEDICAL PRO.
FESSJON,

The thoughts of our readers, this morning,
to the subject of the medical profession, "a
profession which has been growing in dignity
and Importance, within the last decade, more
rapidly, perhaps, than any other, and which,
il present indications are to be trusted, has
~ future before it in comparison with which
its past is but an episode in the history of
medical science.
But it is not of the future of the medical
profession, 50 much as of its prescn mt, that
the occasion Immediately before us is a re-
mindcr. Whatever may be said Of "a.
achievements of the science of moi luc
ten, twenty or fifty years hence, must ncccs-
sarily be conjcctural. We do not know
what discoveries arc to be made, what re.
latons searched out what inventions ap-
piled, that will affect medicine for the bet
ter. Thirty years ago who, in picturing
the transmission of intelligence in a future
generation, would have forecast the telephone
in its perfection, or imagined an instrument
by which the vibrations of the human voice
might be preserved and repeated long n or the
voice itself was hushcd forever? s q can
not forctell what marvellous revcn us may
occur within the province ct medical
science as the bright new facts of life and
energy are mined out of darkness by human
reasearch. 1t may be that the whole future
of medicine shall be changed by a single
discovery. Methods in use at the present
time may be discarded by a not distant gen.
Grafton, and all the brilliant achievements
upon which our present prophecies are based
may be regarded rs strange and labored
victories over matter, gained unconscious of
the hidden energy waiting to be harnessed
to the car of science. 1t is only of the pres
ent of any science that VIC are sure the flu
turc is dependent upon possibilities which
we cannot anticipate.
But the present of the medical profession
is sufficiently grand to eugross the thought
of the most enthusiastic believer in its posi-
bilities. What it has accomplished
is almost as much of an inspi-
ration to the Imagination as what it
may accomplish, Indeed, there is prophecy
in the present of medical science. 1t has
already-lf we may venture 50 fa- beyond
our purpose as to make the statement-enter-
ed upon a stage of change, of revolution, of
new life, new energy, new method The
times are ripe for discoveries in medicine
which will mark departure from the entire
record of it past. 1t may not be impertinent
to mention some of the indications which
lead US to such a conviction, and which can
not but eventually bring about great change
in the science Of medicine.
The requirement of a thorough scientific
education on the part OF those who aspire tc
the profession of medicine, is one of the
indications of the change which is taking
place in the science. Leaving out of the
question the results which will follow such
policy in the future, which we can not
anticipate, the present, which we can know
and estimate, gives evidence of a new pow.
err, new element of success growing out of
this inew feature of preparation for the
work. AS the standard of scientific
scholarship is advanced. the student
enters upon life with an equip
ment which gives him, at the same
time, larger and profounder ideas of his
mission, and greater command of facts and
methods. lie will reason, where the less
thoroughly educated physician will only
diagnose he will perceive, where ignorance
wnulI nhlip1l To .
results. His education enables him to arrive
at conclusions, and to devise methods, which
would never occur to a less thoroughly
equipped mind. 1t is not conceivable that
such physician should not make discover
les, and that, having made them, he should
not record them in scientific Language. The
tendency in this direction is shown by the
great increase of medical journals during the
past few years, and the admirable way in
which they are sustained by the
profession. 1t is only necessary to
take up one of these journals, and glance
at its varied table of contents, and the long
list of its contributors, to become convinced
that scientific education is working wonders
in the present of the medical profession.
Such symposium as one finds in these
journals would not be possible withou, our
medical colleges, training the mind of the
student IN the latest methods and researches
of medical science. The graduate of to-day
must be scholar in his profession. His Gi-
ploma is as much an evidence of scientific
proficiency as the diploma of the academic
college is an evidence of classical attainment
Is there not prophecy in such a fact as this -
prophecy not unfulfllled, but being fulfilled
in the present of the medical profession
Another indication of change and growth
In the medical science of the day is the
abandonment of what aIe known as the "old
icians. 1t is remarkable how long these
they can be called by no
other uame-have survived in the midst of
The scientific attainment of the modern
sistent with the methods of nature, with the
teaching OF common sense, and with The
evidences of experience, has long been PROV
ed; and yet in many instances, nourished by
conservatism and habit, they have survived |
% the present day. There are still physi. |
clans of the old school, who make no effort |
o keep abreast of the discoveries |
n their profession, but cling to the old meth
IDS and the old beliefs. They believe in med
cine as synonym for drugs and continue
o practice the old seventies OF treatment up
IN their unfortunate patients. But the ad-
'ance of the profession is fast leaving these
lid foges in the rear and one of the most
features of the present condition
# the science of medicine, is the subsitu-
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