Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-20
DOCTORS FURIOUS.
Shall a Physician Tell the Truth or
NOtl A Nice Point In Ethics.
A SeusibIe Health OnlcIaI.

Sensible Health Omcini.
BALTIMORE, MD.-A decided stir has been
caused here over the question as to the right
Of physician to certify to the merits OF
remedy not in the modern pharmacopeia-
Dr. James A Steuart one OF the most emil
neht physicians in the South, and Health
Commissioner of this city, had analysed
newly discovered article, and certified offi-
eially not only to its efficacy but to the fact
that it replaced old-time preparations OF a
similar character which, analyses had proved,
were adulterated and poisonous. The medi-
cal and chirlrgical faculty, OF which be Is q
member, held that he had violated the code
of medical ethics, and much public interest
felt both In his professional stand
ing and official integrity.
1t was argued that to thus placea hmita'
ton on the acts of a physician and especially
of health officer, was opposed to the spirit
of the age; that such reasoning might have
been logical enough when it was to the inter
est of rulers or societies to invest themselves
with supernatural halo but now when
thought should be free and untrammeled, such
things savored of barbarism. 1t was the duty
of a physician, especially of health ofncer,
to condemn publicly any remedy which ne
knew to be injurious but it was not rlght 10
say that he should be debarred from TESTIFY
ing to the merits Of anything which he knew
to be good. If this were so, the world would
made in art or science Thus the people ar
gued, 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 afterward a
certificate appeared in the daily papers bear
ing the autograph signatures of Governor
McLane, Attorney General Roberts, Mayor
Latrobe, city postmaster Adreon, chiefs OF
State and municipal 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 efficacy Of the remedy,
asserting that they did so from personal ex-
perience with it and practical tests and obser-
vations.
There could be no gainsaying such evidence
as this but as if to cap the climax, shortly after
ward there appeared another certificate with
autograph signatures of leading practicing
physicians from all parts of the State, includ-
ing the physicians Of all the leading hospitals,
the physician to the city fire department, the
port physician, vaccine physician and resident
physicians 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 analyses had shown no trace OF
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 consequent on their use. The RENE
dy in question is Red Star Cough Cure. Such
q conclusive answer as this to the narrow ar
guments of the few, arrayed public 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
unanimously confirmed by the City Council.
Owing to the high professional reputation
of the gentlemen who endorsed his action, as
well as to the enviable standing of the owners
of the remedy, The Charles A. Vogeler Com
pany, of this city, widespread interest has
already been created in the subject not only
here, but in Philadelphia, Washington and
other neighboring cities. The feeling is
generally expressed by professional men that
! Red Star Cough Cure, on account OF its free
dom from narcotics and poisons, inaugurates
a most desirable new departure in medicine.
| This is the pronounced opinion of authorities
like DR.. Fawcett, who has been for
thirty-three years resident physician of the
Union Protestant Inflrmary, in this city, and
Professor 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 themselves on record as to
the evil of narcotic medicines, and the conse-
| quent value and Importance of the new dis
covery referred to- 1t is conceded that pub
lie 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.