San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-06-03
SHOULD DOCTORS ADVERTISE
A Local Doctor Says "Yes" And
Tells Why and How They
Should

onOu1u.
"What do l think of the local medical
code of ethics, re -ec hoed a we'll known
doctor in answer to a LIGHT mans en-
quireS. 81 think much and would like
publicly to say considerable on the sub
iect, but if did the local board OF CEN
SorS would jump upon me and say that |
was advertising, therefore, If you write
any thing, please don't mention my name.
| believe in code OF ethics, but not the
codes of ethics. that is practiced in this
city. One main objection | have is that
qualified doctor cannot advertise even in
a legitimate way without mourning the
cenSure of the, association and
associates. This works gross
injury to the doctor, especially a Young
man or new settler, and plays into the
hands of the quackS. Say two men arrive
in the city. The one is qualified man in
every way, has diplomas from the best
medical schools, and a record of expert
ence that is honorable in every way, and
commands the confidence of the public.
These known, would soon give him the
rewards that his study and experience
should give him, but he dare not adver-
tiSe them, and consequently he has to lay
around, until circumstances give him
chance TO demonstrate, practically, his
Quack. He floods the streets with cards
and dodgers and has spacious advertise
mentS in the newspapers. He shows
titles, which, perhaps, he never earned
or possessed aud of cures he
has never performed. But he catches
the unthlnking, the ignorant, and the
captions. He draws crowd Of patients,
makes money, does no good and when he
finds, that his game is played, he skipS out
leaving mournerS in the shape of patients
and creditors and seeks another field tor
his operations which he finds equally
proptable. FOw, don't want to see any
legitimate doctor make any deception or
egOtiStical advertisement, but | see no
reason why he should not be allowed to
advertise in the newspapers, his name,
qualification, where he obtained his dip
Iona, the record Of his experience and his
special line, so TO speak, II he has any.
Nor can | see any reason why any
service that he has specially rendered to
the patentor to science may not be men
toned in the newspapers. The bulletins
of great mems illness are telegraphed all
over the world and the doctors names are
given. They get the blame or praise of
service. The sickness of prominent San
AntOnian may be equally important to
San Antonio, but the doctors are muZZled
and cannot say anything without being
cenSured and get no credit. This is in
consistent and injurious. But say some
StricklerS at the code, the mere fact Of
your being "Dr. SOandSo" is a sufficient
Recommendation. Not so. DR.. A. may be
a rumSkul! from an unrecognized or shady
college DR.. b. may bn the greatest ply
stefan in the world How can the public
distinguish between one or the other I'M
less the record of the men are known.
Recently the AlieniSt and NeurolOgist
discussed this subject. just see here
what it says:
What we should encourage is honesty
in the dealing of doctors with the public.
Square. truthful, common sense, delicate,
decent methods OF making our meritoriouS
young doctors, so thai the true dignity of
the profession is not degraded, the public
NAV know who are the really best phySi-
clans, what they can really do. and where
they may be found, and they should be
enabled to get all proper knowledge OF
good physicians, and learn through the
public press to seek the true physician
rather than the quack. Scientific medi-
cine gives quaCkery too great advantage
by failing to provide proper means by
which it may reach where even Quackery
doeS-through the public press.
The press is too great lever to be
given over entirely to the empires:
There IS no wisdom in the professional
policy that Joins this, and, as matter
of fact, the code does not enjOin this. 1t
only says it is derOgatOry to professional
dignity to publish cards or hand-bills
calling attention TO special skill in par
cular diseases. 1t justly Condem ms such
methods as the ordinary devices OF
quacks."
This is repubIShpd and endorsed by one
Of the leading professional paperS-the
New York Medical Journal and none
can deny the policy and practcabiItty OF
the course suggested in the interests OF
the profession.
There is a growing sentiment in favor
OF judicious and honorable advertising
and ere long the doctors card In the man
ner indicated will be seen by the average
newspaper reader to his own interest and
that Of the profession. But there I've
said enough now. You have the seed,
plant it well in the fruitful columns Of
the LIGHT and ere long all will reap
harvest TO our mutual satisfaction"
A Drunken Row.