Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-12
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
DIR. shrndy Gives some Good Advice
To Young Beginners.

To- Young beginners.
''And SO YOU want to be doctor? A
iaudable ambition. How old are youP
Seventeen! A good age TO think oil
adopt ng profess on. by the time
you are thirty-tve you may begin to
enjoy lucrative practice. But why
do you want to be doctor? Have you
4 preference for the studies of that
professione
'Yesi Good"
lot course you have already consid-
cred the cost that attends the study OF
such profession as medicine?"
Only ia part! "
"Then 60 no further until you have
& ven it the most ser Gus thought. To
pursue a course in medicine costs
t me. money and many sacr fees.
Thus it was. writes New York cor
respondent to the Philadelphia Press.
that Dr. George +. Shrady met the
questions of a young man. who. having
graduated at a public school. had de-
cided to take up the study of medicine.
The youth full Of that hope. ambit on
and self-satlsfactlon that characterizes
persons OF b years. had gone to DIR.
Shrady, who is the editor of the Medi-
cal Record for advice. The doctor
was just as earnest in his consdera-
ton of the case and just as careful as
to his advice as when, as the con tiden-
tial friend. adviser and physician Of
the late General Ulysses S. Grant he
watched over, cared for and ministered
to the needs OF that great man.
Then your advice is to choose some
other" -began the young man.
Not at ALL" came the quick reply.
IL nor no other man has right to say
to any one. do not take up the study
of med cine. Reqn ring from its votar-
les the possession of every exalted
qualification that can adorn the heart
and grace human nature, there is no
profession nobler than that OF the phv-
stefan, and we have no right to guess
what man is. He may have in his
composition the making of such prac-
titioGer. such sc enlist as The world
has yet not seen. But do say begin
right So far as the welfare of the
country is concerned it does not need
you. There are more doctors or per-
sons holding the degree of M. ID. now
than can make decent living. The
country. i'm fact the world. is over
stocked W tn them The sober facts
show that in the medical profession the
market is crowded to OVERLOOKING and
that the supply far exceeds the demand.
While the increase in population is less
than two per cent the increase of doc
tors is moro than five and one-half per
cent. and there is but little room left
TO a considerable percentage of physi-
clans to gain the bare necess ties of
life.
Does not medicine afford rs many
chances for lucrative success now as
formerlyp" l inquired. for l was
listener to the conversation.
Not as you understand the word
success sad the doctor. ITO those
who study the art and science of meci-
cine as it should be studied-to the
educated, thinking mantle profess
sion is as promising rs ever. 10 those
who throw down the backsm tn S
tongs at the anvil to-day and within
two ears walk out of medical school
licenced to practice profession as
difficult as it is trying. there is but 1t
tie promise.
Can as good a medical education
be obtained in America as abroad?
quite as good. The MEDICAL COL
leges of this country are beginning to
compare very favorably with those Of
Europe. The schools organized by
men who create themselves professors
and throw out their bait in the shape
of cleverly-written advertisements. just
for the sake of the money there is in it.
are coming to be valued at their prop
err worth. Their only desire is to have
large class, for the more students
they have, the more money they get
In order to effect a good showing they
are then DESTROYS of or nd pg out rs
many so-called doctors as they can
just like the man with a sausage ma
chine would grind out Ii 5 links of
| finely cut meat-all OF a pattern re,
shape and kind. 1t is just here that
we need to institute a reform or two.
tor the good of the profession as well
as the safety of the nation. no college
of medicine should be allowed to ma
circulate a man who can not show h
| b. A., nj. A., or some equally weighty
degree from some known and reputa-
| BILE college. Then instead of the
teaching power-the professor becom-
ing the licensing power-each state
should have charge of the work. The
colleges may send the men forth with
the stamp ofeapproval and recommend
them for cense. but there should be
a state board of medical examiners to
say whether they are capable and ELI :
Gent Candidates for diplomas would
then be examined without fear or favor.
The profession would be elevated to
the dignity that it deserves. and the
diploma would be far more valuable
than it is now that the teaching and
licensing powers are one. All this,
however, will come some OF these days
lust rs will the necessity OF collegiate
training and four years special
course As rule. however. the col
leges in this country are worthy insti-
tutions"
what do you consider the essential
for SUGGEST
"The practice OF the healing art is
an occupation instrinsically dignitied.
IL can not he Invested Of this quality
- .tio i,rr, hla condition of tho prac.