Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-08-27
AN ADDRESS
Delivered Before the Medical Society Of
the County Of Jefferson by DR.. T. IL.
Buck. President, Iugust 10, 1890.
Published By request qt' the Society.

| a tendency to engender tnls ieeiinS "uiVn5
us. We have organized this Society, com
posed entirely of medical practitioners, for
what purpose? Is it a Trust, or Combine,
entered into for the purpose OF advancing
our own pecuniafy interests at the expense
ofour already over burdened fellow-citlzens?
such is the rumor that has gotten abroad.
But we know it to be false. We have not
associated ourselves together for any such
mercenary motive. Wehave organized this
Society. and have adopted our Constitution
and bylaws. and there is not one word IN
them relating to the establishing of rate
| of fees or charges. The object of our organ
ization, as set forth in Article ii OF our
Constitution, reads as follows:
"The object of this Society shall be the
cultivation of medical knowledge, the eleya-
ton ofprofessional character, the protection
of the interests of its members, and the pro-
motion of social intercourse among the med
ical men of the county"
Surely this is a commendable OBJECT. IL
certainly ought TO find favor with every
physician who desires TO honor his profession
and raise it in the estimation of the public.
1t has been the opprobrium ofour profession,
| for centuries, that there is so little fraternal
| feeling and congeniality among Its members.
We see petty jealousies, envyings, and back
billings exhibited among medical men that
we do not see in any other profession or
calling. There is an assumption OF false
dignity among NJ. d. that holds them alooi
from each other, and often renders them RI
diculous in the eyes of Others. But we are
glad to know that this old, abnormal state
of things is gradually giving way to better
and more natural feeling with the profession
generally. And believe this great change
for the better is largely, if not mainly, due
to the formation of these Societies and AS
sociations among the medical fraternity all
| over our land. 1t seems TO me that physi-
clans, above every class Of men, ought TO be
drawn closer together, and lean more upon
one another. They are engaged in an
arduous and responsible profession In which
| they need the sympathy and encouragement
of each other This sympathy they cannot
obtain from the general public. However
| high physician may stand in the estima-
ton of his community, however many warm
personal friends he may have around him,
vet there are secrets, trials, temptations anG
responsibilities connected with his profess
| ion which he cannot unbosom to any OF
these. We cannot fully sympathize with
any ones troubles unless we have borne sim
liar troubles ourselves. The youngest practl-
| toner present must have experienced some
thing of this. He has already learned that
there are burdens peculiar TO his profession
which he often finds hard to bear alone, and
vet which pride and a false sense of dignity
| prevents his confding to a more experience
ed brother in the profession.
Yes, we medical men do need the sympa-
thy and encouragement of each other. And
hail with pleasure the formation of this
Society as conducive to that end. Then let
Us break loose from the old, stilted, formal
etiquette of the past, and meet each other
with the frank and genial spirit of those
who are working in common cause. Why
should we not do this? Are we afraid of
exposing our ignorance to our brethren? /
| can hardly conceive of this being the case.
| For the Oldest practitioners amongst us
those of us who have had forty years of ex-
perience in this exacting profession, can
| but count ourselves students, at best. No,
| there need be no cause for any ones being
afraid or being made ashamed. We all, old
and young, meet here upon perfect equal
| ity. We can all learn something. The old
! mans experience may be tempered and
modified by the newer theories of the young
practitioner, and the latter may learn some
thing from the practical wisdom of the vet
cram As st. Paul would say: "Where is
there room for boasting?" There n5Go We
elders in the profession have seen too many
changes take place in the theory and prac-
tice of medicine in our time to feel like be-
ing boastful. The young man, fresh from
his studies in the hospital, who may feel
like Wanting his knowledge of modern
practice, should moderate lis zeal, for in
few years he may see his pet theories
swept aside to give place to newer discover
les in pathology and practice.
SO you see, my brother practitioners, we
are all students and can all still learn some
thing. We are conscious of the fact that
the practice of medicine has not yet obtain
ed a solid foundation. We are still resting
on shifting sand. But we are making prog
ress. We are cropping in the right direction.
! With all the changes that have taken place
| there have been great truths discovered that
have remained permanently with Us. And
these changes will continue to take place,
and the truths will still be discovered and
remain with Us, until, in the course oftime,
centuries hence it may be the vast aggre-
gate of truths, that have been accommodating
for many ages, will be collected in one body;
then the practice of medicine will become
settled upon a fixed foundation, and will be
regarded as one of the sciences.
1t is the duty of every physician to help
toward this glorious contamination. We
should not be satisfied to follow merely
routine practice; but we should study well
the tendencies Of diseases and the best rem
| edes to relieve them Let us, in the Ian
guage of Scripture prove all things; hold
fast to that which is good" In pursuing
this course-in following out this line of
duty, we shall need, my brother prac:ition-
ers, the sympathy, encouragement and as
sistance of each other.
The physician is subjected to great and
peculiar temptations. 1t is unnecessary for
me to specify them. You all know what
they are. Probably many of you have been
beset by them. Well, il is right here at
this point, chat we need to grid up our loins,
and to seek for strength and guidance from
a Higher Power to enable US to resist these
temptations, and to maintain our profession
al character spotless. One of the objects of
our organization, as set forth in Article III
of our Constitution Is: The elevation OF
professional character If this were the
only object if there were not another clause
in that Article, this alone would be worthy
of all our efforts. This elevation ofprofess
ional character includes in it, what is far
more important the preservation and eleva-
-. : III For bn,ravar kirh