Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-03-28
DOCTORS FURIOUS.
Shall a Physician Tell the Truth OF Not 2
A Nice Point IN Ethics.
A Sensible Health OmoiaL

E2A64DaG LLCE-4GA [+LtLLsLEEL.
BALrbIORE, Ma 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
phaTmacOpoeia. Dr.. James A. Stuart,
one Of the most eminent physicians in
the South and Health Commissioner Of
this city, has analysed q newly discov-
cred article, and certified officially not
only to It's efficacy but to the fact that it
replaced old time preparations Of a SINH
lar character which, analyses had proved
were adulterated and poisonous. The
Medical and Chirurgial Faculty, Of which
he Is q member, held that he had viola
ted the code of medical ethics, and much
public interest was aroused because Of
the confidence felt both in his profess
sional standing and official integrity.
1t was argued that to thus place a imi-
tatiOn on the acts Of q physician, and
especially of 8 health officer, was opposed
to the spirit Of the age; that such reason
ing mighthave been logical enough when
it was to the interest of rulers or socie-
ties to invest themselves with q super
natural halo, but now when thought
should be free and untrammeled, such
things saVOred Of barbarism. it was the
duty of physician, especially Ofa health
officer, to condemn publicly any remedy
which he knew to be injurious, but 1t
was not right to say that he should be
debarred from testifying to the merits Of
anything which he knew to be good. If
this were so, the world would not re-
ceive the benefit Of half the discoveries
made in art or science. Thus the people
argued while the faculty threatened eX-
pulsion and talked of the time-honOred
customs, ethics, professional courtesy and
traditions.
But the matter soon assumed a new
and surprising phase. A few days after
wards a certificate appeared in the daily
papers bearing the autograph signatures
of Governor MCLane, Acknowledgement
Roberts, Mayor LatrObe, City POstmas-
ter AderOn, chiefs Of State and munich
pal departments, Judges and Clerks of
Courts, Federal officials and Congress
men, emphatiCally endorsing the action
of the Health Commissioner, and con-
curing in his opinion as to the efficacy
Of the remedy, asserting that they did
so from personal experience with it and
practical tests and observations.
There could be no gainsaying such
evidence as this, but, as If TO cap the
climax, shortly afterwards there appear
ed another certificate with autograph
signatures of leading practicing ply
sicians from all parts Of the State,
including the physicians Of all the
leading hospitals, the physi-
clan to the City Fire Department,
and resident physicians of intirmaries,
all endorsing the discovery and stating
that it had been tested by them in hos
pitfalls and private practice for weeks
with wonderful curative effect, and that
ANALYSIS had shown no trace Of Oplates
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 pOlsOns
and of the dangers consequential on
their use. The remedy IN question Is
Red Star Cough Cure. Such a cOnclu-
siVe answer as this to the narrow argu-
ments of the few, arrayed public senti-
ment on the side of the Health Commits
siOner, and 1t lis significant that DR.. Steu-
art has since been appointed to office by
the Mayor for a third term, and has had
his appointment unanimously confirmed
by the City Council.
Owing to the high professional reputa-
ton Of the gentlemen who endorsed his
action, as well as to the enviable stand
inc Of the owner OF the remedy, The
Charles A. Vogeler Company, Of this city,
widespread interest has already been
created in the subject, not only here, but
in Philadelphia, Washington and other
eraliv expressed by professional men
that Red Star Cough Cure, on account Of
its freedom from narcotics and poisons,
inaugurates a most desirable new depart
ure in medicine. This is the pronounced
opinion of authorities like DIR. FaWCett,
who has been for thirty-three years resi-
dent physician Of the Union Protestant
Infrmarv, in this city, and Prof. John J
Caldwell. M. D., member Of medical soci-
cites of Baltimore, New York and Brook
lyn, and with a long experience IN civil
and military hospitals. Both Of these
gentlemen, together with no less than
fifty other practicing physicians Of Mary
land, have publicly put Themselves on
record as to the evil Of narcotic medi-
cines, and the consequent value and inn
portance of the new discovery referred
to. It is conceded that public opinion
has completely vindiCated 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.
An Important Correction.
The Temperance bill" as publishedin