Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-25

al emergencies, and SO frequently sup
pressed by the use Of the prescriptions
of manufacturing druggists (woe to the
man who is q slave to these)! Solid
preparation constantly going on will
give enlargement of power and in
fluence as we'll; he will be felt as a
factor that leads and governs; he will
inspire confidence which often becomes
a condition of success: his sphere will
be antlpodal to that of the charlatan
and the imltator. The most hopeful
omen for the future honor and service
of our profession is the demand that
the minds of it's members shall be thor
oughly trained by IL course of literary
and scientific education before entering
upon professional study. For this must
ever be true. THE king Of practice is
the prince of thought
8. The third requisite IS skill. Some
have the theory, but fail in the prac-
tice. The physician must not only know
what to do, but how to do. He must
be apt to do, able to do, trained to do.
experienced in doing. What Is skill? 1t
is: !. The prompt. deStrous applica-
ton OF knowledge. g. The wise and
ready use of all resources. In short skill
is the heedful thoughtful, tactful ap-
plication of the means suited to the
end sought. The skillful physician
gathers. chooses. arranges, focuses his
remedies to the best advantage. For
this he Is ever preparing, through this
he Is ever advancing. His faith makes
his courage. and courage in danger is
helf the battle. His bravery is shown
by performing without witness what he
is capable of doing and is willing to do
before all TIE world. 1t is said, 1.-THE
only way to learn to practice is to
practice true. but sklllful practice
must ever spring from good, common
sense. horse sense (Which Is often very
uEcommon) and from good taste and
wise administration. Skill is sight, in
sight and foresight in action; and this
is ever cultivated by The growing
physician.
Consider the ideal physician.
AS regards his relations.
No work has more varied and far
reaching relations. His relations bring
him In contact With every occupation
with every grade of society. In touch-
Ing men he stands side by side with
the minister OF the gospel; indeed, there
comes time when the minister looks
up into his eye and yields to him the
care OF his life. His relations nre two
fold:
!. To society. This relation is vital
and fundamental. The physician has al
ways been. will always be, n necessity,
because OF "thc Ills that flesh is heir
to- because of the teachings OF God
In nature and in reveal ton. It is i'm
possible to write the history Of the
race without recognizing his services.
So honorable is this calling that for
ages 1t was associated reverently and
gratefully with that of the priest. The
healing art has ever been impressed by
the stale of civilization in which 1t
wrought, and hence, like everything
else has been the victim OF supersti-
z tlon, ignorance and folly; vet. by rea-
son OF Its necessity and value it holds
Its place. 1t works its publication, 1t
moves along the lines OF true science,
rs the custodian and benefactor Of the
race. AS in richest soil, weeds arc rank
est, so In highest vocatlons, quacks are
prominent.
Without reality there would be no
counterfeits, and no hostility; quacks
and scoffers only acccntuntc merit. To
our profession. alone of all professions,
is paid Il sincere, universal tribute, in
the home, In the hospital. on the battle
field, on land and on sea. Let us see
that we merit this honor.
The physician has n closer relation
TO society in the home. There he touch
es nil that is private and sacred, NIL
that Is tender and true, or foul and
false. He is an involuntary photograp PHI
er OF its Lares and Pcnates-its house
hold gods and goddesses. whether
these be good or evil. At times he be-
comes In turn the lawyer, the preacher,
the governor; only let him see to 1t
that he wears not the cloak Of either
OF these to the disgust of the refined.
He acts pro tempore, only incidentally
as an advisor. he puts his patients in
the way OF more expert help. 1t Is an
axiom with the good physician to de-
port himself in the family as gen
tlcman, Towards ladies he is true
knight OF gallantry, of chastity. of
honor. lie never lowers the dignity, the
purity, the refinement of his bearing
and calling towards the mother and sis
ter and wife of another. He is womans
helper. healer. protector, comforter.
In social and civic relations the good
physician is a sanatarium. He helps
us an authority in hygiene. In Cal
countless thousand) ways he practices
the healing art by administering the
stead of tho pound Of cure" Some day
the physician may be employed 10 be
the hyEcnists of the home
In firm. the cultivated physician has
to do with all the agents of civilization.
II Is the physician who has stirred the
civilized world to weave into their school
curricula athletic exercises: TO run pari
passu with mental training. They first
saw and taught the value cf Juvenal's
saying, "a sound mind in a sound
body"
I'd. Mark the physicians relation to
his
FELLOW PHYSICIAN.
Ours Is a benevolent brotherhood to
be freed from that envy TO which the
ignoble mind Is n slave" and to be
charged with that friendship which, as
Cicero says. wishes others to enjoy
the greatest possible fortune, even il
none of ii accrues to ourselves" The
Ideal physician honors his medical
brother and cultivates for the worthy