The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-30
TALKS TO PHYSICIANS
The President Delivers an Address to the
New York Academy Of Medicine.
THE PHYSICIANS PUBLIC DUTIES
The Address was Devoted 10 sketch.
ing The Advance Made of Recent
He"rs I'm thc Medical Science mud
directing Attention to Needed Leg
isi"tion tho Doctors Could secure

'SiatiOn the Doctors Could secure
New York, Jan. 29.-Thc Academy of
Meuicine celebrated its semi-centennial
Tonight IN Carnegie Music Hall The
exercises consisted Of addresses by Dr.
Joseph ID. Bryant, the president of the
academy. and by Samuel $ Purple. M.
~, and Lewis a. Sayrc. NJ. D., the fnun-
GERS OF the academy, an Grafton by \.
JacoDi the former president of the acad-
emy. and an address by the Pre- sidcnt OF
the United States, Grover Cleveland
The hall was crowded From orchcs-
ira to topmost gallery every seat seemed
filled, the boxes being brilliant with col
OF ana pretty women in evening dress
HAIL TO THE CHIEF.
Hail 10 the Chief" greeted the pres!-
dent ms he entered the hall on the arm
OF DR.. Bryant, the audience rising out
Of respect to the nations executive.
bishop Henry c. Potter. dressed in the
purple robes OF the Episcopatc, offered
the opening prayer.
President Joseph ID. Bryant. NJ. D..
then made the opening address of well
come. DIR. Bryant explained that the
objects of the academy We're for foster
ing the medical profession to better the
study OF medicine and the maintenance
of Il good medical library. DR.. Purple,
Or. Sayre, and DR.. Jacob spoke on the
aims and work of the academy.
MI. Cleveland was then introduced by
Dr. Bryant.
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
The opening and the greater part Of
Mr. Clevcland'S speech was devoted 10
complimenting the doctors upon the
rapid advancement their science is
making. and upon the resulting benefits
TO the human race. Then he slSetched
some of the defects in existing medi-
cai legislation and put the question to
the assembled company whether they
were suie their duty as citizens had been
as 1ully discharged as had been their
professional duty-whether they were
doing all in their power to remedy the
situation he described. He said:
we cannot but think that the dis
coveries and improvements in the medi-
cal practice, which we now enjoy, are
dearly bought If the members of the
profession in their onward march have
left behind them their sense of civic
obligation and their interest in the gen
eral public welfare. We cannot ac-
cnse you OF utter neglect of your duty
10 the country, and yet we cannot keep
out OF mind the suspicion that IL your
professional work In exposing evils
were more thoroughly supplemented by
labor in the field of citizenship, those
evils would be more speedily corrected.
SHOULD HELP THEMSELVES.
IF laws are needed to abolish abuses
which your professional Investigations
nave unearthcd, your fraternity should
not be strangers 10 the agencies which
make the laws. If enactmcntS already
IN force are neglected or badly executed
you should not forget that it is your
privilege and duty To insist upon their
vigorous and honest enforcement. Let
me also remind you of the application
10 your case of the truth embodied in
the homely injunction: If you want a
bers of yonr profession were oftener
round in our national and State legs-
l2tiVe assemblies, ready to advocate the
reformatory measures you have dem
onstrated TO be necessary and TO de-
fend your brotherhood against nippant
and sncering charges of impracticability,
the prospect of your bestowal upon your
fellow men Of the ripcned results of
your professional labor would be bright
er and nearer.
INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
While thus suggesting The need OF
Your influence in legislative circles for
the accomplishment of reforms related
to your profession, you will, l hope, per-
nit me, in conclusion, to enjoin upon
you the duty of an active and general
interest and participation in public af-
fairs for the promotion of your country'S
good in all its phases. Our Government
was founded on the faith and anticipa-
liOH snal tnOSc VINO lONpu III most ana
We're best able 10 hold it steady, would
be at its helm. Without this il will
surely go astray. Never did patient
need your medical treatment more than
the body polite needs the watchful care
of your patriotic and disinterested citi-
Zenship.
NO object of personal ambition and no
activity of professional life should be
permitted to withhold from our Govern
ment the tithe of devotion and service
due from its thoughtful, intelligent and
educated citizens. The reward of
willing recognition of our obligation to
watch and protect our free institutions
and preserve them from weakness and
decay will surely come when just Gov
ernment. supported by the patriotism of
a loving people, shall bestow with equal
hand upon us and all our countrymen
the blessings OF national peace, con-
tentment and happiness"
After the exercises Mr.. Cleveland went
to Dr. Bryants house, where he VIII
pass the night. He will return TO Wash
ington tomorrow.