River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-03-12
DOCTORS FURIOUS.
Shall Physician Tell the Truth or Not7
AEice Point in Ethics
A SENSIBLE HEALTH oFFIcIAL.

Shall Physician Tell the Truth or NotP
AEice Point in Ethics.
A SENSIBLE HEALTH OFFICIAL.
Baltimore, Md decided stir has
been caused here over the question as to
the right Of a physician to certify to the
merits of a remedy not in the modern
pharmacopnia. DR.. James A. Steuart,
one of the most eminent physicians in
the South and Health Commissioner of
this city, had analysed a newly discover
ed article, and certified officially not on
~ to its efficiency but to the fact that
it replaced old time preparations of a
similar character which, analyses had
proved, were adulterated and poisonous.
The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty,
of which he is member, held that he
had violated the code of medical ethics,
and much public interest was aroused
because of the confidence felt both in
his professional standing and official in
tegrity.
1t was argued that to thus place o
limitation on the acts of physician,
and especially of a health officer, was
opposed to the spirit of the age; that
such reasoning might have been logical
enough when it was to the interest of
rulers or societies to invest themselves
with supernatural halo, but now when
thought should be free and untram-
meled such thugs savored of barbarism.
1t was the duty ola physician, especial
ly of health officer, to condemn pub
licly any remedy which he knew to be
injurious, but it was not right to say
that he should be debarred from testi-
flying to the merits of anything which
he knew to be good. Ii this were so,
the world would not receive the benefit
of half the discoveries made i'll art or
science. Thus the people argued, while
the faculty threatened expulsion and
talked of time honored customs, ethics,
professional courtesy and traditions.
But the matter soon assumed new
and surprising phase. A few days after
wards certificate appeared IN the daily
papers bearing the autograph signatures
of Governor McLane. Attorney Gener-
al Roberts, Major Latrobe. City Post
master Adreon, chiefs of State and Tnu-
nicipal departments. Judges and Clerks
of Courts, Federal officials and Con-
gressmen, emphatically endorsing the
action of the Health Commissioner, and
concurring in his opinion as to the
afficacy of the remedy, asserting that
they did so from personal experience
with it and practical tests and observa-
tons.
There could be no gainsaying such
evidence as this, but, as if to cap the
climax, shortly afterwards there APP
appeared another certificate with auto
graph signatures of leading practicing
physicians from all parts of the State,
including the physicians of all the lead
ing hospitals, the physician to the City
Fire department, the Port physician,
vaccine physician and resident physi-
clans of infirmaries, all endorsing the
discovery and stating that it had been
tested by them in hospitals and private
practice for weeks with wonderful cura-
tive effect, and that analysis had shown
no trace of opiates or poisons, prevalent
in other cough mixtures. They further
stated that they had been induced to take
this step in view of the many hurtful
preparations which contained narcotics
and poisons and of the dangers con-
sequent on their USE The remedy in
question is Red Star Cough cure. Such
conclusive answer as this to the mar
row arguments of the few, arrayed pub
lie sentiment on the side of the Health
Commissioner, and it is significant that
DIR. Steuart has since been appointed
to office by the Mayor for third term,
and has had his appointment unanimous
Iy confirmed by the City Council.
Owing to the high professional repu-
tation of the gentlemen who endorsed
his action, as well as to the enviable
standing of the owners of the remedy,
The Charles A. Vogeler Company, of
this city, widespread interest has al
ready been created in the subject, not
only here, but in Philadelphia, Wash
ington and other neighboring cities.
The feeling is generally expressed by
professional men that Red Star Cough
Cure, on account of its freedom from
narcotics and poisons, inaugurates
most desirable new departure in medi
cine. This is the pronounced opinion
of authorities like DIR. Fawcett, who has
been for thirty three years resident ply
stefan of the Union Protestant Intirma-
~, in this city, and Prof. John J.
Caldwell, M. D., member of medical
societies of Baltimore, New York and
Brooklyn, and with long experience
in civil and military hospitals. Both Of
these gentlemen together with no less
than fifty other practicing physicians
of Maryland, have publicly put
on record as to the evil
of narcotic medicines, and the
consequent value and Importance of the
new discovery referred to. 1t is conced-
ed that public opinion has completely
indicated DR. Steuart in his action, and
that in his whole course he was actuated
simply by an earnest desire to benefit
the community at large.