The Van Buren press., 1898-02-05
"The Pursuit Of Happiness,o and
sgomm9n sense.1


and Surgeons, which will be located in
Turner Hall at Fort Smith for the next
three weeks. in an interview with The
Press reporter said yesterday:
ssAIl experience goes to prove that
the pursuit Of happiness is the chief
end Of intellectual man. Concerning
this idea are the struggles and aspir-
ations Of years. Genius and science
assist In its realization. and the most
important achievements Of modern
civilization have been inspired by the
sentiment which the idea so nobly ex-
presses. In anticipa ion Of happiness,
toll and suffering are bravely borne,
riches lavishly used, and temporary
self sacrifice regarded as a pleasure.
For the same purpose home Is forsaken.
love and friendship refused, oceans
crossed, and a new life entered upon
amid strange scenes These and many
more reasons that might be stated.
show how universal and all important
is happiness that exists throughout the
world.
Now the proposition that happiness
without good health Is an utter
imposs1bility il self evident. Individual
and social existence give proof of it
every day. People may possesses all
the Injuries Of wealth, and have no
material wish unsatisfed, but If they
suffer i'll health all the advantages
amount to nothing On the other hand !,
comparative poverty can be cheerfully
borne with a robust constitution and
the generous blood of health flowing
through the veins. A healthy Diogenes,
In fact, is more to be envied than a
sickly Alexander; vigorous Lazarus
than an enfeebled Dives.
Thus considered, the seience OF
medicine. which has for this object the
conversion of health. cannot be too
highly valued. How important it il
regarded by all civilized nations Is
demonstrated by the fact that medical
colleges are literally endowed. and
master minds encouraged to prosecute
discoveries in curing diseases and pro-
longing life. But it has been shown by
undeniable testimony that something
more than mere book learning, educa-
ton, or experience, is necessary te
make man an eminent physician. As
in other departments Of usefulness, sc
in the practice of medicine. Nature
specially endows some men to under
stand the secrets Of disease and health
and master laws and principles which
govern both. Were this not the case
no one physician would be distinguished
more than another, while extraordinary
cures, which find place in contem
porary history, would be unknown.
Common sense, we are aware
is quoted at discount especially By
the medical profession, which ignores
everything which has not the mixed
odor of incomprehensibility ant
antiquity. Medical works are generally
a heterogeneous compound Of vagu'
ideas and jaw breaking words, in which
the dead languages are largely employed
TO treat of living subjects. Orthodox.
In medicine consists in walking in tn,
beaten paths of Ksculapian ancestors
and looking with grave contempt on al
who essay TO cut out new paths TO
themselves. Progress is supposed to b
possible in everything except medicine
but In this science, which all admit ha
room for improvement, the epithet 0
"Quack' is applied to every medica
discoverer. We trust we may prov
worthy Of the denunciation of tn
bigoted He who labors to promot
the physical perfection of his race h
who strives to make mankind intelli
gent. healthful and happy, cannot fat
to have reflected on his own soul tn
, benign smile of those whom he has bee
, the instrument of benefting.
"Our statement is founded upo
A
: careful observation, experiment, an
! an extensive medical practice. If tn
truth Of theories may be judged by tn
= success Of the latter, then do they IN
. mistakably possess soundness rs well a
? originality The living monuments
a our skill and success have been and al
2 being daily raised from beds of sickne'
I and debility in every part Of the Unite
g States. If these remarks seem boastfl
be not less ready to pardon the conce
Of a successful physician than that of
victorious soldier. The suceessfl
military chieftain is notoriously cor
= ceited, is 1t not rs honorable an
I. elevating TO save life as to destroy it,
h A man may boast that he has slai
4 hundreds. cannot his egotism be II
u dnlged in if he has saved the lives
4 thousandsg We shall claim u
y soldier prerogative. for when medic
: charlatans at every street corner al
L blowing their trumpets, 1t does n
!. behooye the successful physician
y hide his modesty.
"Our patients are made mp from Il
intelligent thinking classes, from tho