The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-11-20
OUR PROFESSION AND THE PEo-
PIE.

enacted the following reforms: Gov
ernment ownership of railways, tele-
graphs, telephones and insurance grad
uated income tax; exemption of homes
from taxation; encouragement of alien
Ownership of land by levying an absen
tee tax; restoration of the land held for
speculative purposes to the people by a
heavy graduated land tax, x +" = Be-
sides the hours of labor have been re-
duced to a minimum and a maximum
rate of wages has been fixed for govern
ment employees, a splendid system of
factory inspf ction has been introduced,
the contract system has been practical
ly abolished, and many municipal re-
forms have also been introduced. x +
New Zealand, according to Consular
4eports and reliable Australian news
papers, is to day the most prosperous,
contented and happy little country I'M
der the starry heavens. There are few
paupers and no monopolies; there is a
gratifying decrease in drunkenness,
prostitution and crime and the usuri
GUS practices of a few years ago have
been discontinued"
Does the above quotation seem
strange in these colUmns9 Perhaps
you are saying mentally, II thought
the Medical World was devoted to the
interests of the medical profession" So
it is. Aud the above will be found in
line. The life force of the medical pro
fession is not confined entirely to thera-
peutics. Incidentally, please see edi-
torials in the Cincinnati Lancet Critic
for July 9TH, July 18th, July 21st, July
28th, ct seq; also, the Medical Mirror
for August, page 1856, for patriotic ex
preSsions upon current events, in
which physicians as we'll as all other
citizens must feel an interest. The Sep
TENDER issue of the last mentioned
charming magazine is given up large
ly to descriptions Of California life and
scenery by its gifted editor. We feel
certain that, on this account, the
many subscribers to the Mirror will
not underrate the value of that issue.
Instead, this is the particular issue that
will be passed around to the members
of the family and to the friends, and
finally be preserved with special care.
The general fact that the medical
profession is devoted to the prevention
and cure Of the physical ills of human
ity is true. The readers of these pages
need not be reminded of the many in
stances of the almost magical relief
from pain, return to health, &c, con-
stantly occurring in their W. expert
ence. The profession is devoted to this
noble work. But this is not the only
side to this matter.
The profession must live while it
works. It's work must be for the peo-
pie whate yer their condition. But that
brings us to the question of the ply
sician's interest in the condition of hu-
manity. Let us glance over this con
dition during the past twenty five
years. In that time we have seer the
development of the millionaire and the
tramp. We have seen the resources of
this country gradually accumulate in
the hands Of the few, leaving the many
dependent or destitute. Yet the ply
sician's work does not diminish. He
must still minister to the ills of human
ity and from humanity he must get
his support. But the masses are be-
coming less and less able to pay him.
The prices received by the farmer for
his produce are becoming lower and
lower, and the mechanics opportunity
for employment is becoming more and
more ~precarious. Reductions in wages
and lock-outs are becoming numerous,
while the piling up of profit gees mer-
rily on. Consequently, the income of
the average practicing physician has
been shrinking, while his work remains
as great as ever, Or increases. What
are we coming to? A society made
up of millIonaires and impoverished
masses is the least desirable for a ply
stefan. A millionaire contributes only
a small share of his just portion to the
support of the medical profession;
while the impoverished masses cannot
contribute their share; yet the work
of the profession remains the same.
What the medical profession want is
prosperous masses. The masses pro
duce the wealth, and why should it
not stay with them7 Now, look at the
quotation at the head of this article
again. Can we not learn some lessons
from that distant isle of the sea9 Does
it not suggest many things that we
need9 Your first question will be, "How
can we get theme" Certainly not by
Indifference and inaction. Every eiti.
zen, whatever his profession or bust
ness, has a public duty to perform.