The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1894-01-25
Communicated
The Family Physician,

The question is frequently asked,
(which of the two professions, Medi
cine or Divinity, has the closest bearing
upon and interest in our common hui
manity?" l think that l am prepared
to say from an experience that comes to
few, that the most important in its bear
ing on the individual is medicine. One
scholarly and earnest Divine may COM
bat with, or direct ones spiritual diff
culties and convictions quite as we'll as
another, but no other can take the place
of ones valued and experienced physi>
clan. The family physician. What
grateful memories. What tender associ-
otions cluster around his name. 1t is he
who stands between our families and the
grave, fighting back the disorders that
troop up from the encampments by the
cold river. He it is who has yearned in
spirit over our dear ones, toiling and
troubling to snatch them from the grave.
He it is who has ministered to our loved
could save, and by gentle hand-clasps
and sympathetic speech has comforted
our aching hearts, and soothed their
passage to the grave.
have no desire in making these state
ments to leave the impression that do
not appreciate or honor the profession
of Divinity, which is invested with so
much dignity and SO necessary to the
State, the community and the individ-
ual; but simply to give the honor due to
the medical profession, in its best expo
nent-the family physician. We may
loose our spiritual adviser, and however
great the sorrow, we replace him; but
not so with he faithful family physician.
To this earthly friend we have ever flown
in times of suffering and mortal trouble.
Some say doctors are of more harm
than good, but let them get sick-how
quickly they send for him. While there
are many who appreciate the character
of the good physicians, there are count
less numbers who have no realization of
the qualities that go to make or form
that character. There is no profession
in which greater purity of character,
and higher standard of moral excel
lence is required than that Of the med
ical profession.
The doctor of medicine comes into
closer contact with poor humanity than
is possible usually for the doctor of di-
vinity. Before him opens all circles of
society. He is welcome in cot and man
sion. 1t is common ACQUISITION that the
doctor is thinking chiefly of his fees.
This know to be libel on the good
men of this profession, who so frequent
ly, to their loss, make the fee their last
consideration. The physicians in this
country do more missionary work with
out charge than all the other professions
put together. There are few who realize
the hardships endured, the self sacrifices
made by the medical profession. The
world is full of incidents of endurance
on the part of doctors. The ideal family
physician is self sacrificing, self denying
and prominently brave in the best sense
of the word. He is ready at all times
day or night, rain or shine, hot or cold,
sick or well, to face some of the worst
known dangers He performs surgical
operations in which if he receives the
slightest wound his life is at stake. 1t
matters not whether the patient is rich
or poor he takes the risk. The faithful
and hard working physician needs the
sympathy and encouragement of his
friends and patients. There are so many
Interruptions, so many exhaustions in
physicians life. No one deserves such
hearty thanks as the doctor. The paths
of such is strewn with the benedictions
of those whom they have benefited.
Some years ago there was in my home
an evil hour of foreboding. My child
rem were Frustrated with that dread dis
ease, scarlet fever The youngest, a
bright little girl, was critically i'll. We
walked on tip-toe, and whispered, and at
every sound said "hush " Oh the
agony of those hours. / realized then
what it would be if we should be called
to part from our little treasure, for |
went through all the pain of such sep
aration. The doctor came and stayed
two days and concentrated all his skill.
At last the restlesness of the little suf-
ferer subsidized into sweet calm slumber
and the doctor looked around to us and
said, ''The crisis is past" For the first
time in my life | realized what doctors
are worth. In some of our minds among
the tenderest of all memories is the
sFamily Physician.'' NJ F. Il.