Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-12
MEDICINE MEN IN COUNCIL,
Continued from Page 8.

icine profoundly impressed every one
present. Both graduates and under
graduates are permitted to come before
the board for examination and license.
me standard is. much to my delight. Il
good one. but the law governing medi-
cine Ill virginia is SO insignificant that
IL Il person tails to make the general
average he goes back home and prac-
tices medicine, and defies the board 10
do It's will. How many people in this
nail would like to risk their lives in the
hands OF q man who has failed before
this board; 1 dare say not one
movement is on foot to correct the
deforinties of the present law before
the State Legislature, and 1 hope good
results will follow.
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND SUR
gerry AT HOME.
The question of patients being trans
ported to various distant cities for
medical diagnosis and operative inter
ference has concerned me in no little
way. l honestly believe that we have
men throughout the South and in this
section who are as capable in every
Inc OF our profession as you will find
anywhere in the world. The exodus,
which from time to time takes place.
while 1t may not be any fault of yours,
should have professional astringent
properties put upon it. and the work
done at home. III few short months
we will have completed St. Vinccnts
Hospital. in Norfolk, which will be n
JOY to suffering human kind. The same
will apply to the Protestant Hospital.
L also hear that your city will be
equipped in this connection at an early
date
DOCTORS SERVICES AND PAY
1t is a well recognized fact that there
are fewer rich doctors than any other
class Of people on the globe. Why is
this? Is it because the doctor has no
commercial side to his profession? or
is it because there is so much charity
i'll his soul that he can't resist the per-
sistcnt appeals of suffering humanity?
or Is 1t the fact that half the people of
the world think he is legitimate prey
ana gladly pounce upon him day and
night, and thus proceed in the most
approved style to fitch his brain and
services at randonADo you know
That great many people think that a
doctor is compelled by law To respond
to calls. rain or shine sleet or snow.
day or night? l tell you candidly, the
way doctors are paid would stagger the
uninitiated L frequently hear people
say, You doctors make great sums of
money and you can afford to do thus
ana so free of charge. or charge half
rates. We'll, some OF us do Il good
business. but as for remuneration IT
oftentlmes is n will O. the wisp,-a ver-
liable myth. There is not one bust
ness man in the city of Newport News
VINO would permit man TO come in his
place OF business and get even $500
worth OF merchandise and start out
With 1t unless he is paid, or knows
positively the patron is good for the
amount. while if a doctor. being called
10 a residence, administers to the
patient and, upon taking his leave, were
10 ask for his pay. nine times out of
Ten the man would want to have him
thrown out of his house, besides losing
an future business at this residence.
now please tell me where we come in.
NO one can deny that we have some
privileges, and what other way have
we OF making n living, IL not by our
work. You let doctor take on n side
issue and the cry will go up that Doc
tor so and So is not up in his profess
sion because he runs n brick-yard. n
lumber business, or a newspaper we
must have commercial side to our
profession. 1f we don't, pauper doc
tors. like bad money. Will always be.
we are to blame for recognizing pro-
PiioNeo hiil CulHfO1tS. and
The only way to remedy this profound
evil is to get closer in touch with each
other. and let deadbeats know we are
not working for our health.
In conclusion. I wish to heartily
thank you for Your cordial considera-
ton. and J. trust that before the next
annual convention of the association n
great many evils that now exist max
Dc permanently eradicated. Look IN
ana faint not. for they who shall fight
an honest fight will strike the key of
truth and liberty. and though all tho
world OF quaclidom ana charlatanism
band against you. they will not pre-
vail
The mother may forget the child.
That smiles so sweetly on her knee
But forget thee will ne err, IS. NJ. a >"
And all that thou hast done for mo.