The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-29


stitutions are confined 10 no age or pso-
pie, but are the natural outcome OK hu-
man compassion for suffering humanity.
In the ancient Egyptian civilization We
find recrd OF a college OF physicians.
paid from the public purse. and amen
dable 10 Law as 10 the extent and man
ner OF their p,sctice- The ancient
sculptors confirm the statement OF
Exodus that eheir women p7aciiced
medicine. We find proof OF hospitals
among them as early as the eleventh
century before Christ. and Homer de-
clares that 'their physicians possess
knowledge above ali other men," These
physicians seem 10 have belonged to the
p-iesily class. They were required 10
treat the poor gra,utously. 10 follow the
rules laii down in the treatise preserved
in the temple. and If they changed this
orthodox treatment it was at their peril.
and thei, lives were forfeited for the life
OF the patient.
This care for the sick poor is a nat
| ural outcome Of the character OF peo-
pie on whose sarcophage we meet with
theinscriptions like this: He succored
the afflicted. gave bread to the hungry.
drink 20 the thirsty, clothes 10 the max
ed Shelter to the outcast, opened mis-
door. to the strange, and was a fathex
10 the afflicted"
There is a quaint and curious inscrip-
ton on the walls OF ruined Theban
temple, which tells that once the great
God Chanson himself deigned to 60
from Theoy 70 Boucnten. With royal es-
cort of 5arges and chariots and horse
men and mobiles; that all the doctors
having failed. The God himself might be-
stow his virtue Of lie" upon the Prin-
cess Bentfssh. the little sister" OF the
royal wife OF Ramsis XII Long cen
turtles have passed since that fair Egyp-
tan maiden was treated Of her infirml-
ty-to watch few more risings anc
falling. Of the Nile-to gaze upon mys-
teries whose solution is hidden from our
knowledge today. Perchance 70 learn
how poor and vain a gift was shat life
which the God could prolong but could
not ksep-certain at last 10 meet the in
evitable doom and sward which the
Prophet jeremiah announced 20 virgin,
daughter OF Egypt, in vain shalt thou
use many medicines; thou shalt not be
cured"
But after all these ages the old fame
OF Egyptian healing is preserved to our
day. wrapped up like one OF Egypts
mummie. in the words the mistry. al
chemy, which came from the name o.
the great God Chemmis. which gave to
Egypt its ancient name, Cnemi.
Passing across the Mediterranean, we
find at least one hospital in Greece, some
-four centuries before Christ. 1t was slt-
uated upon the sea" probably in the
PiraenS. I'm those day.." says Plato
''the sons OF Asclepius were heroes a
we'll as physicians. for they sucked the
blood out OF the poisoned wound and
sprinkled soothing remedies" He tell.
US also that physicians were elected by
the people, and paid from the public
trea sury. A technical term (demosien-
aein) was applied to the state physicians
and slave doctors were appointed under
them 10 attend the poor. The Iich were
often persuaded by some friendly rhet-
orician to drink the medicine, or 70 CUB
nit TO the knife and hot iron, but no
words were wasted upon the poor. The
slave doctors ran from one TO another
Of them, dosing them as they thought
proper, or waited 70, them in their dis
pensaries.''
The history OF medicine among the
Hebrews may be traced with tolsrable
clearness in that same divine chronicle
10 which / have already referred, and 1
will not dwell upon IT here, save TO say
that care for the sick is Characteristic
among the Jews unto this day, and their
ligion is love 10 God and love 10 man.
BE not slow to visit the sick. for that
shall make thee to be beloved" and the
Ialmundadds The glory of God hovers
over the couch Of the sick
Passing TO India, we find that in the
fourth century before Christ. Asoka. the
Heaven beloved established medical aid
both for men and animals, together with
indictments OF all suitable, and where
they are not they are TO be prepared. 10
be planted, both root-drugs and herbs.
The established di:pensaries al each OF
the four gates Of his own city Patns.
and 100 years afterwards these were
found in complete working order by the
Chinese pilgrim Fa Hiau, who visited
India. 1 quote from him: The MOBILES
and landowners OF this country have
founded hospitals in the city. 20 which
the poor OF all countries. the destitute,
the cripple.. the diseased. may repair
for shelter They receive every kind OF
requisite help gratuitously. Physicians.
inspec: their diseases and according 10
their cases orfbder them food and drink.
decoctiorrs and medicines. everything in
fact which may contribute 20 theii ease.
When cured hey depart at their own
convenience"
AS late as the commencement OF tle
present century there still fouri.aed at
Surat hospital set apart for the treat
ment OF ANIMALS. AMI covering twenty
acres. which il believed 70 be living
example which has braved twenty cen
turtles OF the humane acts OF Asoks,
watch are recorded near by on rock
in GusTat.
Omitting for want OF time. Other great
Oriental examples % phils,hropy. We
find in Ireland. 800 years before Chr.st
a remarkable military hospital. founded
by Princess Macla OF ne Golden Hair
There the sex were cared foT and the
wounded healed. and IL was called Broin
Bez-g-the House oc Sorrow. /; re-
rnsine1 500 years. and was destroyed A
D. 332.
Passing % tie extreme west. We 1n4
tnat the ancient Mexicans bad hospitals
in al their principal cities. fo- the care
0, ne sick ana the permanent refuge o.
disabled soldiers. AMI Pre.coS tsils -
that they TorznlP7ed God a. the mere
III and suffering. tie enj0.nsr &C
c1arity. sni that tie sosolutio1 shica
followed confession cf tAeir sins. ciose1