Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-09
TWO GREAT MINDS.
An Able Address Delivered Before the
Medical Society Of virgiaia by the
rrcsitept. Dr. W. w. Parker.


Medical Society Of Virginia 1t Iynchburg
on Wednesday on 1.-THE Ancient and
Modern Physician 1" BY the president Of
che society, Dr.. ". W. Parker. Of this city,
was greatly enjoyed by those who were
fortunate enough 70 hear II. Tho treatise
ON Iukc IL thoroughly original, and
though speculative in great part must
prove especially interesting TO the Biblical
student. The Doctors tribute TO Jcnner
10 just and able. concluding with forcible
and figurative oyatorical flight that must
have aroused the enthusiasm OF his hear
ors. We give the address herewith in full
Gentlemen Of the Society. My theme
"a the Ancient and Modern Physician.
I'VE have . goodly heritage" said
wise man OF old. This is subject OF con-
graduation, both 70 individuals and to
professions. 1t 10 we'll to remember. how.
ever. that the high standing and good
name Of the medical profession to-day Is
not our work. nv fellow members of the
Virginia State Society. II is the work OF
by-gone centuries the medical profession
has been elevated step by step. Palsied be
the arm that would lower il one inch
Euch Is my interest in the matter that
shall offer resolution during this
meeting ordering 500 copies OF the Code
Of Ethics" for free distribution among us;
also, that il be recommended to ali the
the medical colleges in the Union to give q
copy thereof with each diploma issued.
We must see to II that the high and noble
esprit du corps Of our fathers shall be MAN.
tanned.
STUDY OF BIOGRAPHY.
Learned early in life that no study was
more profitable than biography..:his
separation Of some great character from
the mass Of mankind and studying HIM
from head 70 foot not looking nj the feeble
sapl.ngs that wave their soft and flexible
bodies TO every breeze. but Of the strong
oak that hits his mighty arms toward the
sunshine and the storms, loving the light
complete statue, full Of faith and power.
The most unworthy NAL in our. profession
il be who il jealous OF superior
attainment and merit. II Is by
these master minds that you and
are raised one step higher on the ladder.
Men who by national gifts ard hard work
and high endeavor attract the admiration
and gratitude of the world should be
cherished as of priceless value to our pro-
fession. The doctor who would traduce
them is guilty Of suicide. For shams and
pre,enders there must be nothing but con-
tempt. History fortunately furnishes one
medical man who offers us splendid ex-
ample for contemplation-am man not well
known in medical annals. He possessed:
First the highest culture; second. he was
open TO conviction Of truth; third. firm in
maiutain ming IL: fourth. modest; NTH, con-
s.Gut 10 friends: sixth, intense lover OF
the truth: seventh. pure In life; oighth,
and lastly. he possessed the highest benev-
Clence.
A WONDERFUL BRING.
Physicians have for study. my fellow
members. a. you know, the most wonder
tut and complex being in existence-msn,
the master being ot the world, no two
alike IN mind or body-the came man. not
really the same man. for year at the time;
his tastes changes. his digestion changes
and his power changes. With this multi
p,icaiion Of one man, what Of the multi
tuds: A harp of a thousand strings must
he often out If tune. Skill Of the highest
order is needed TO attune its multiple
cords. SO We truly need the highest H.
telligenc-." A man who IS not open TO
the truth =" is concetei and obstinate. Solo
mon saws there is "more hope of fool.
Firmnsss and modesty. while apparently
opposite qualities. are near akin. With
out these there can be no desired and per-
manent success. Not TO he constant 10
friends" Is to be q traitor. Not 20 be an
Intense lover Of truth " is,to be lagsard
after il with sure failure as the result.
Only with clean. white garments and bare,
glistening feet did the high priest enter
the doctor enter the sacred preclnts OF the
home, next to Heaven. He should be pure.
PARSKLL FURNISHES AN EXAMPLE.
1t has lately been proven by easel the
British Parliament that ece,s politician can
not ba greet lesder of q good cause with
out high moral character. Mr. Glad
stone and the Irish priests and people
loved the cause of Ireland. but they loved
the cause Of God more. Can any one at
all acquainted with the history of man
kind say tha. the world does not novef'
The lcaven of the Gospel is working. In
neighboring State q law has just been
passed forfeiting the diploma OF drunken
doctor upon the ground that ho Is dan-
gerous man. This IL sound reasoning.
With such head and heart our hero must
needs be benevolent" An intensely sell
fish doctor Is q disgrace TO his profession.
care rot what may DO his mental attain
ments.
THE MODEL DOCTOR.
This model doctor-a model in all men
tal and moral qualities al least-liyed / 800
years ago. He was born In the splendid
CITY of Antioch and was probably de-
%
historian he is superior 10 Heroditus or
1hucydides. His style IL model of terse-
ness. simplicity. and elegance. This We
know from his two books. Unfortunately,
none OF his medical works remain. 1t is
improbable. if not impossible. that man
who writes so elegantly upon sub.
Jet foreign TO his usual mode OF
thought could fail TO excel in
favorite theme. Writing is an art
and requires much practice to secure emf
hence. la giving sketch of the life OF
our distinguished writer and author little
can be sad because little II known OF his
medical attannents. but man with such
O mind, q man OF such close and accurate
observation and statement. must have
been wise. prudent, and observant doc
tor. The opposite conclusion would DO
almost absurd, especially when you couple
with has mental endowments high moral
qualification.
LUXE TIE DOCTOR AND SAINT.
There has been found lately at Thebes
splendid papyrus sixty -fvef feet long known
a. the pspvrus Ebers, bearing date one hun
dred years before tho birth of Moses, de-
ecrloing the circulation OF the blood, and
filed with various medical recipes. Luke
having lived one thousand years later. his
medical writings may yet be brought TO
light by some enterpr'sln2 arch@ologlst.
Prom his own statement he must have been
an early convert TO the Christian faith. He
was at Jerusalem during the crucifxion.
On the day the resurrection was al
nounced II seems that he was sum-
moDed to patient, perhaps at En-
maus. small village near Jerusalem.
How strong must have been his desire TO
remain Ia the city aud discuss this allah.
sorbing subject! Yet, accompanied by
disciple named Cleopas. he was proceeding
90 the village when lo he found himself
sn company with his risen Lord.
This doctor. as you all know, was named
Iulas. OF Luke. Eusebius and Jerome
both say he was physician by profession
II Is also said no was fine painter.
Ny opinion is that Luke was diverted
from his profession by Providence In the
latter part of his life not only 10 care for
the frail body of Paul. but TO prepare the
two most important books in the great
new revelation Of God 10 man. Could aur
doctor or profession 10 more highly hon.
0reds
GKraT WITNESS.
Lawyers have sound views about evil
dence. They want no "hearsay" test
mopy-a man must be an eyewitness"
must know OF his own knowledge. to be
credible. la Luke's first work. The Cos
pei" regarded by all critics a. far supe-
fiOf 10 Mathew Marx or Int- 40 bou ~.