Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-01

W
 In these times there is no one mind that is capable of containing all there is to know; no one mind that can grasp all Knowledge; no one man who can make the highest success of everything. The man who succeeds now must be equipped for that particular branch of human learning he expects to follow. He must adopt some particular line of action and follow it to the end. When Cuvier could spend years on one little portion of an- atomy; when Darwin found the study of primitive animal life sufficient for years of effort; when other men of equal capacity have devoted their best ener- gies to a specially and accomplished re- suits, it is evident that the specialist who has equipped himself thoroughly for a particular line of work is more like ly to make a success of 1t than man who depends upon a smattering of universal ities for his arms and ammunition.
 The practice of medicine calls into ac- tion the highest skill of which the human mind and muscles are capable. While man may know too little, no man can know too much It cannot be expected that the general practitioner who has a case of croup today and case of small pox tomorrow can treat either as sue cessfully as the man with equal ability and learning who makes speciality or one of these diseases, studies it's origin, it's development the system of the pa tent the influence and effects of certain remedies in producing certain and defi- nite results.
 That is the reason some practitioners succeed in building up great business, a beneficial institution. That is why the subject of this sketch Is written about and talked about He has won distinc- tion in a special class of work to which he has devoted years of preparation. and in, xxbiph he has distinction due to merit
 Dr. Ralph M. Russell is a native of Texas but his education was obtained in the literary and medical schools of New York, securing the degree of master Of arts and doctor of medicine, the latter at Bellvue Medical college in 1888. He sub sequently attended Kings college of Lon don, England, coming direct from there to Birmingham in 1Syl. He has made special study of surgery and has as com plete set of surgical instruments as any institution in the country secured at cost of 5000. All the modern scientific applcation of electricity in surgery are utilized by him and he is prepared to give as high a class of treatment as can be obtained anywhere. Diseased cavities are not hidden from him, as he has an electric endoscope, which gives him a chance to view the most difficult cavi- ties.
 Dr. Russell occupies commodious and well appointed suite of offices on Third avenue and Nineteenth street. His residence and infirmary are located on an acre of ground on the North High lands, where are also his operating rooms, a large two-story structure ad- mirably adapted for the purpose.
 The doctor successfully treats and cures all of the deformities and abnor- malities of flesh or bone to which human ity Is liable. Among these are spinal de- fnrmitiag p1nh rppI and crooked fapt chronic ulcers and fever sores facial de- formites, tumors, diseases of the ear throat, eye and diseases of women.
 Practically all of these afflictions de- mand special appliances and the doctor has them. They require skill; he has that. They require experience: he has that. Testimonials by the hundreds speak of the details: they will be sent on application.
 Dr. Russell has recently toured the world in the interest of science and has an international reputation
 Steiner Bros.
 The above firm is a splendid exponent of the private banking business here, having done for Birmingham a substan- tial work The brothers own the beauti- ful building on the corner of First avenue and Twenty-first street, three stories high the upper floors being utilized for
  pied by the splendid suite of offices of the bank.
 The details of the business done consist of the negotiation of loans on real estate and collateral, buying county and city bonds. issuing interest-bearing certifi- cates on savings deposits, promoting and financiering great enterprises, selling ex- change on all parts of Europe. selling steamship tickets over all lines. etc., etc.
 Smith & Coughlan.
 This great cotton commission firm was established in 1883. Its head offices are at Birmingham, Ala, in the Alabama National bank building; Meridian, Miss, and Austin, Tex. and buying stations are Gadsden. Tuskaloosa and Mobile, Ala. and at Macon, Columbus and Aberdeen. Miss. Mr. J. H. Coughlan came to Rome, Ga, in 1SS1 and until the following year was connected with H. H. Smith in cotton buying. In 1883 the office here was opened up by MT. Smith. MT. Coughlan going to Gadsden and