The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-05-30
DOCTORS FURIOUS.
Shall . Physician Tell the Truth or Not
sfAsNice Point in Ethics.
A sENsIBLE HEALTH OPTICAL.

| A SENSIBLE HEALTH OFFICIAL.
| BALTIMORE, MD.-A decided stir has
been caused here over the question as to
the right of physician to certify to the
merits of q remedy not in the modern
pharmacopoeia- DIR. James A. Steuart,
one of the most eminent physicians in the
South and Health Commissioner of this
city, had analysed a newly discovered
article, and certified officially not only to
its efficacy but to the fact that it replaced
old-time preparations of similar char
acter which, analyses had proved, were
adulterated and poisonous. The Medical
and Chirurgical Faculty, of which he is a
member, held that he had violated the
code of medical ethics, and much public
interest was aroused because of the conf
dence felt both in his professional stand.
ing and official integrity. "a
TWAS argued that to thus place limita.
ton on the acts of physician, and espe-
cialiy OF health officer, was opposed to
the spirit Of the age; that such reasoning
might have been logical enough when il
was to the interest of rulers or sccieties to
invest themselves with q supernatural
halo, but now when thought should be free
and untrammeled, such things savored of
barbarism. 1t was the duty Of ply sician,
especially of a health officer, TO condemn
publicly any remedy which he knew to be
injurious, but it was not right to say that
he should be debarred from testifying to
the merits OF anything which he knew to
Dc good. III this were so, the world would
not receive the benefit Of half the discov-
cries made in art or science Thus the
people argued, while the faculty threat
ened expulsion and talked of the time
honored customs, ethics, professional court
esy and traditions. - - Tina
But the matter soon assumed a new and
surprising phase. A few days afterwards
a certificate appeared in the daily papers
bearing the autograph signatures of Gov
ernor McLane, Attorney General Roberts,
Mayor Latrobe, City Postmaster Adreon,
Chiefs OF State and Municipal departments,
Judges and Clerks OF Courts, Federal off,
ciais and congressman, emphatically en-
dorsing the action of the Health Commits
sioner, and concurring in his opinion as to
the efficacy of the remedy, asserting that
they did SO from personal experience with !
IL and practical tests and observations.
There could be no gainsaying such evil
dence as this, but, as if to cap the climax, |
shortly afterwards there appeared another |
certificate with autograph signatures of |
leading practicing physicians from all parts |
OF the State, including the physicians of |
all the leading hospitals, tho physician to |
the City Fire Department., the Port physi-
cian, vaccine physician and resident ply
sicians of infirmaries, all endorsing the /
discovery and stating that it had been
tested by them in hospitals and private
practice for weeks with wonderful |
curative effect, and that ANALYSIS
had shown no trace of opiates or poi
sons, prevalent in other cough mixtures.
They further stated that they had been in
cuced TO take this step in view of the many
hurtful preparations which contained mar.
cotics and poisons and of the dangers con-
sequent on their use. The remedy in
question is Red Star Cough Cure. Such a
answer as this to the narrow
arguments of the few, arrayed public
sentiment on the side of the Health Com
missioner, and 1t is significant that DIR. |
Steuart has since been appointed to Office
oy the Mayor for third term, and has had
MS appointment unanimously confirmed by
; Owing to the high professional reputa-
lion OF the gentlemen who endorsed his
action, as well as to the enviable standing
IL me owners OF the remedy, The Charles
vogeler Company, of this city, wide
spread interest has already been created
n the subject, not only here but in Phila-
ieiphla, Washington and other neighbor-
ng cities. The feeling is generally ex-
pressed by professional men that Red Star
;ough Cure, on account of its freedom
rom narcotics and poisons, inaugurates a |
most desirable new departure in medi-
Inc. This is the pronounced opinion !
las been for thirty three years resi-
ent pt ysician of the Union Protestant
nfirmary, in this city, and Prof. John j. I
caldwell, M. D., member of medical So 9
ieties of Baltimore, New York and Brook
IN, and with long experience in civil .
nd military hospitals. Both of these gem
emen, together with no less than fifty
Their practicing physicians of MARYLAND, :
ave pubs ely put themselves on record as |
} the evil of narcotic medicines, and the
,nsequent value and Importance of the
sw discovery referred to. 1t is conceded
lat public opinion has completely vindi- =
tied DR.. Steuart in his action, and that in
s whole course he was actuated simply Z
7 an earnest desire to benefit the commu- B
ty at large. 81
j. as-sf | IL