The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-06-03

Bronson occupied his leisure hours by
writing for the periodical press, arti-
cles upon a variety Of topics more or
less scientific in their nature, but writ
ten in a manner clearly indicating the
versatility Of his talents; while every
production Of his pen attracted marked
attention and was regarded by the pub
lie as an earnest of the good things that
might be expected from him.
AS an illustration of his style of COM
position and method of reasoning at
this early period of his career. and to
show how these We're admired by some
of the best men of the profession out
side Of his native state, 1 append some
notices by the medical press and ex-
tracts from letters by persons unknown
to him. DR.. C. c. Yates, at that time
an eminent physician Of New York,
thus addresses him in October, 1892;
II believe that I am indebted to your
politeness for a philosophic essay on
Medical Logic-(or as the writer of the
letter has it, on reasoning in medi-
cine"
This paper have read with much at
tention and Improvement. Indeed, sir,
l confess myself much interested in its
perusal, and consequently l tender to
you my acknowledgements If that
justice WE'RE rendered to your produc-
ton. which in my estimation it de-
serves, it would place its author far
above his compeers. I admired the Ian
.guage and the spirit of your late let
ters on the Cholera, although differing
from me in some practical views, but
V{rD & M tscA 20 or n n q
play of logical and argumentative pow
ers as it manifested in this essay by one
so young, and Of necessity so inexperi-
enced a candidate for medical fame.
l see in you the medical philosopher,
but the unpopular practitioner-"Star-
tie not at my prediction!
1t is your creditable independence of
mind, of thought and of expression that
will probably subject you to the morti-
fication of being excelled by the mean,
the sycophantic and the ignorant in the
acquisition of patients.
Nothing but some fortunate turn of
circumstances, or an extensive family
connection will enable a person of your
standing to cope with folly and licensed
quackery. Your paper has been literal
ly used up. / have lent it until it has
become dilapidated and obscurated. 1t
is illegible I wish you would o'blige me
by information where I can procure
more copies L want to send them both
to England and France. I received
from Boston your paper on disinfecting
agents. and have transmitted it to the
board of health of Savannah as part of
my reply to a letter addressed to me by
h0t oeIrt INF
ton to guard against and treat the
cholera should it appear among them. "
sour highest authority in the medical
journalism of that day reviewed the
pamphlet in terms of high commenda-
ton, and thus quoted freely from its
pages: I'VE have been favorde by DR.
Henry Bronson of Albany, with a
small brochure on Medical Logic, of
which we presume he is the author. 1t
is an able production marked by sound
and is evidently the off
spring of a cultivated mind. 1t should
be as widely circulated as possible, be-
ing calculated to lead the public to a
surer appreciation of medical science,
and a more discriminating Judgment of
capacity.
The following extract will exhibit the
object of the writer: 1.-THE conclusion"
says the doctor, "to which we would
bring our remarks is this. The only
safety for the public on this momen-
tous subject is to confine the practice OF
physic to men of truly enlightened and
minds. But this can never
be accomplished until the public at
arge are made more strongly to feel
he multiplied and peculiar difficulties
attendant on medical inquiries.
1t is from enlightened public opinion |
alone that we can hope for the removal |
If what is an enormous evil in this !
intrusion-(the admission) |
of ignorant men of weak and unprin- |
,ipled minds into the medical profess |
sion. Public opinion ought to check the |
AGILITY with which degrees and licences |
% practice are granted in some of our |
medical Institutions"
~American Journal of Medical Sci
,nces, May, 1882, p. 270.
How often are mem taken from |
he plough or the anvil with only |
he bare rudiments of an English edu-
ation, and in two or three years turned |
guardians Of the public health.
Such men in most cases could not sus-
ain themselves for an hour either in
he profession of divinity or of law.
heir utter incapacity for philosophical
investigation would be manifest to all;
tut, shielded by the mysteries of a pro-
ession which the public eye cannot
they, too, gain wealth and
influence by the grossest quackery and
If our remarks in this arti-
lie, he says in conclusion, shall lead
ny of our readers to appreciate more
ighly the amount of mental discipline
Which ought to be demanded in medi-
al practitioners, our labors will be am
ly repaid.
These pungent but truthful lines were
yritten more than sixty years ago, in a
plrit Of righteous Indignation over the
Existence of monstrous evil which,
ven in that early time overshadowed
IL the colleges Of New England, and
threatened to become inherent in our
ntire system of medical education; nor
as this danger wholly ceased, nor is it
1nflned to medical colleges alone.
eed not add that refer to the great
lcility with which collegiate honors !
re acquired.
The descriptive force of his language |
as true then, and dt is true to-day in
lmer0us instances but not universal