The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-25


ability.
The Growth OF HonoeCpathy, a school
advocating disuse Tor the abuse OF drugs.
a doctrine substituting one extreme Tor
the otner, d practice which mas taught
the useful lesson OF moderation, Iad
which has had its rise. decline and fall IN
Europe. To be implanted and spread like
an epidemic in America. "a fallacious the
DRY which cannot be remedied by abuse
but which il ignored will die a natural
death.
IL Il, however to two dangers-greater
In my opinion than any OF those previous
ly mentiOned-that ! wish more particu-
larry to direct your attention: Dangers
10 Medicine. from the tendency OF PROBES
sionai and Popular Medical Education.
The frequency with which ill-prepared
students stucy medicine and the number
OF poorly qualified doctors who are an
nuaily graduated by the medical colleges
OF the country approaches a national ca
lamity. It is true that the pitiiess law OF
the survival of the fttest Is caiied lh'o
execution. il Is true that competition
helps the meritorious and Is iatai 10 the
inefficient, but though the Nanquisneu ais
dead professionally, their DodieS ploSA
the way of progress and their steheh -
in the nOstrils OF the public
A study of the statistics Will snow that
hard times are good times ior nieuiOa'
schools Financial depression MAKES 'he
workshop idle. the farm unprohtaDie, ana
business inactive n younS man Stems al
vain for employment and finally deter
mines to study medicine, and mus &C.
cupy time which would otherwise De uh-
employed ana secure a profession COM
monty supposed TO carry with 1t respect
and remuneration.
to,..,. TWEEN COLLEGES.
Rivalry between medical colleges, which
frequently begets solicitation for students
at cut rate prices furnishes him the
necessary opportunity. and the man VINO
would otherwise become a mechanic
farmer or a clerk becomes DOCTOR IN
spired with little enthusiasm, endowed
with no special talent. possessing made
quate preliminary education. anu cramp-
ed for want of means TO pursue his stu
dies or maintain a respectable existence
after graduation he is anything but a
desirable acquisition to the profession.
The colleges can correct this evil, by
raising their fees. by increasing the
.ength OF their course. and by requiring
an educational qualification for matricu-
lauon. Unless this is done the State
must again take action to protect its peo-
PIE. Inc Legislature has already found
1t necessary TO establish a Board Of Elk
aminers TO pass upon the proficiency of
applicants TO practice medicine. IL may
become imperative to appoint a similar
board TO decide as to the qualifications
'of aspirants to study medicine.
Among the active practitioners are al
ready apparent the results of the mate
rial from which their ranks are recruited,
ana on the one hand the sordid necessity Of
iVing-the demand for money to support
eAistehce-cfamps the intellect Of the in
ulVldual and prostitutes the profession
10 the levei OF trade, while on the other
personal ambition-whether for local no.
torie'y or Tor more lasting fame-inspires
work In which recklessness masquerades
LOT Doidness and ignorance for originality.
Leaving the discOuraging subject OF pro-
fessional education. ii is a relief TO md
the popular side OF the question tinged
with grim humor
IGNORANT OF ANATOMY.
Time was when medical and surgical
subjects were considered indicate and
excluded from general conversation PEG
pie lived in bIissful ignorance Of the
anatomy Of their person and Of the ply
Biological processes by which their va
rious organs performed their functions.
The family doctor was then esteemed
for his personal qualities. but regarded
with wholesome generation for the pro-
fesional knowledge he was supposed 10
possess. In sickness he was an autocrat.
lie gave no reason for his opinion-there
was no appeal from his decision-his word
was law
The practical trend Of to-day has robbed
medicine OF its mystery. Symptoms are
glibly discussed. operations are infinitely
described and the treatment OF different
cases compared. Victims OF appendicitis
carry their appendix i'm a bottle and find
their rating dependent on its size and
length. Former possessors Of tumors dis
course learnedly on stitch-hole ahcesses
and boast Of the weight and consistency
of the mass removed. Debutantes who
have made soiourn at a fashionable
sanitarium find the public informed as
TO the nature OF their case and are in
tcresting i'm proportion 20 the known de-
hciency 81 their internal organs. So great
Is the interest taken by the laity I'm medi-
cal matters. and so satisfied are they with
the knowledge they have acquired. that
they do not hesitate 10 criticise regular
Each becomes an enthusi-
astic partisan who can see no failing in
his own doctor-no good In the doctor Of
the other. Preference gives place to
prejudice. and bitterness and bad tmeper
are frequently displayed
\ DANGEROUS THING.
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
and while i'm this instance II has not cur
tailed the Doctors field OF practice. it has
at least undermined the confidence with
which he was held by the public. and he
is now forced To give for approval the
upon which he bases a diagnosis
and the principles upon which he carries
out a treatment Sometimes I'm trivial
cases he has 10 yield TO the temptation to
give the patient what he wants-n0t what
he needs-and frequently he has to com
bar the foolish suggestions OF meddle-
some and antagonistic relatives.
This condition Of affairs is derogatory
In the dignity Of the profession and seri-
,uslv threatens its future II is not due
10 the progress Of the age. to the in
,rease of general knowledge, or TO the
circulation Of literature by quacks and
nostrums. II is due TO the doctor him
SELF and by him can be corrected. Sacri-
ice your desire to impress the ignorant
md be less liberal with your information
At the bedside. Avoid the temptation OF
your achievements and conhne
FOUR remarks to the case YOU are treat
ng. Discourage discussion Of another
loctor and be careful that nothing you
;av can be construed into adverse crii-
ism. .,
he role ~ ertidition. Surely the demands
II an individual case should tax your re-