The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-14
ATABOOED PHRASE.
NO Doctor Should say, ct Do Not Be
heve''-W Warm Discussion.

An unusually interesting meeting of
the Topeka Academy of Medicine and
Surgery was held last night at which
a large number of the members were
present Three papers were on the
programme for reading and discussion,
but only two materialized.
Ihe first paper was read by DR.. VS..
Lindsay on Progressive Muscular
AIrOphy, and discussed by the SOcl-
ETY.. This was followed by the reading
of a paper entitled Treatment of the
Insane by the General Practitioner by
DR. b. D Eastman
DR.. Eastman's paper was prefaced
by an amusing story. which illustrated
the trepidity of physicians in discuss
ing insanity He stated that in years
past little or no attention had been
given to insanity by the general prac-
titiOner. but at the present day physi-
clans recognized the fact that a. thor
ough understanding of the principles
That as insanity could not be directly
aHected by drugs, the advantage held
by asylum physicians over the general
practitioners was in the moral treat
ment and not in the field of therapeu-
tics. THE Scylla and Charybdis
which confront the home care of insan-
ity,' said Dr. Eastman, are inability
to control the patient and the sympa-
thetic inefticiency of friends. Never
theless the general practitioner is justi-
fed in attempting all Suita BILE cases,
people to the asylum. Underwriting
Watchfulness for the first symptoms Of
insanity should be the most important
point with the general practitioner
In opening the discussion of the pa
per, DR.. r. F. McWey made a rather
startling statement for a physician. He
said that in his opinion few remedies
cured but that a great number caused
disease. DR.. Minney took an entirely
opposite view of therapeutics. and re-
ferred DR.. McVey to Ecclesiastics
Ky naa1re ha nod a
that there was "a remedy for every
disease. and a foodfor every tissue
Dr. Magee said that it would be inter
eStlng to know the exact location of
insanity in the brain, and thought it
must be in one spot. as large portions
Of the brain could be destroyed without
affecting the mind.
Dr. Lindsay thought that elderly in
sanity patients should always be re-
moved from homes where there We're
children on account of the injurious in
huences which insanity exercises over
the young.
DR.. Ward believed in predestiny. and
thought people We're born to be insane
as wen as they We're born to be gen
During the discussion of the paper
the expression i do not believe was
made by one of the members. When
the discussion was concluded DR.. Min
ney claimed the floor and stated that
in his opinion such an expression
should never be made at a gathering
OF ScleHIlIlc men As a matter or fact
he said physicians did not possess
enough knowledge to base such an as
sertiOn on. He thought Il do not
know would be better.
DR.. Eastman than made q motion that
the expression II do not believe should
never be used at any of the future
meetings of the society This brought
on a heated disscussniOn and the mo-
ton was lost. To convince Dr. Ninney
that he was wrong in his views. DR.
Wallace said: "A friend Of mine told
me yesterday that she thought GER
tain oculist in this city was better than
DR.. Minney. I did not say that I did
not know, but I said that I did not be-
ueVe that he was"