The Washington times., 1901-08-05
Suncrnuous DOCTORS.

Some of the writer's for medical jour-
nails are worrying over the fact that
several hundred doctors are graduated
every year, while only a small percent
age of that number are providentially
removed by death; and it is argued
that before long there will be altogether
tco many doctors for the population.
At first sight it might seem that this
was really cause for alarm, but as in
the case of most worries based on sta
tistics, there are countaracting circum-
stances. In the first place, the popula-
ton of the country is constantly in
creasing, by immigration and other
wise, which provides for certain in
crease in the business of physicians.
Again, city hospitals and like institu-
tions afford places for many young men
who would otherwise have to practice
for nothing among the poor until they
had regulations. Though the salaries
paid to fiedgling physicians in such
places are not commonly large, they
are not so small as the physicians
earnings might be If he were left to
himself; and they are sure. Also the
young doctor has the advantage of be-
ing constantly associated with more ex-
perienced physicians, who are not his
rivals, but find it to their advantage
to throw as much routine work as pos
sible in mis- hands.
Another thing which should be con-
sidered is that up to a comparatively
recent tine there were not half ply
sicians enough for the population of
this country. Most people past middle
age who passed their young days far
ther ives, than Buffalo can remember
when many growing towns and villages
had to depend on quacks, horse-doctors.
nurses. and natural bone-setters,' for
most of their treatment in time of ILL
hess. A vast number of charlatans Of
various types. honest and dishonest,
and a good many patent medicine COM
panies, owe their prosperity to the fact
that for period of fifty or seventy-five
years about two-thirds of this country
had no adequate medical service. In
fact, there are many sections of it even
now which are insufficiently supplied,
and if some of the most able of these
young doctors who are oyercrowding
the older and more settled parts of the
country will go to places where rhy
sicians are needed. and do some charity
practice along with their other work.
they will make more Of themselves and
do infinitely more good than if they
cling to the fiesh-pots of Egypt. In
short, there are still places and reputa-
tions for the men capable of earning
both. and there will be, for several
years to come.
Some young men with medical train
ing might advantageousIy do as young
women with the same training have Of
ten done, go into the field of nursing.
The trained nurse is as yet more rare
than the good doctor, and his or her
work is exceedingly important, espec
tally In case of serious illness. While
the woman nurse has certain advan-
tages, she has also many disadvan-
tages Only the strongest constitution
can endure the work, and the average
life of the trained woman nurse is said
to be short. If men were to enter this
field they would not be likely to crowd
the women out, and it might end in an
adjustment of things which would pro-
vide supply of male nurses for cases
in which they would be more useful
and of women nurses in those which
require women.