Evening journal., 1903-08-15
THE FAMILY DOCTOR

It may seem strange that so many
of our good physicians have taken up
special treatments or made a study of
particular diseases and dropped away
from the old-time general practice.
1t is impossible for one man success
fully to perform all the duties that
devolve upon family physician with
the rapid strides that science has
made. and oftentimes cases come to
his notice that require great
amount of study. Hence the leading
professors of the country, after care
full consideration Of the matter, decided
that in order to keep pace with the
advance of science, it was necessary
not only to fit the man for a physician,
but also that he should thoroughly un-
derstand all parts of the body and the
diseases that affect them, as many men
are often proficient in one case of prac-
tice and would not make general prac-
titloners. These things being taken
into consideration, a society was formed
to give each man chance to ut him
self for the part of the profession that
suits him best. After graduating, each
student, IL he so desires, may take up
studies in the post graduate course and
thoroughly fit himself for the line OF
practice he intends to follow. None re-
gret the drifting away Of the old coun-
try doctor, but many think a physician,
when he suggests that he would like
to call a specialist in consultation, is
not a good doctor. On the contrary,
such a physician ought to be held in the
highest esteem by his patients from this
fact that he shows them that he desires
them to have the treatment which viii
relieve them most effectually. The
specialist, coming In contact with GER
tain diseases every day, is better pre-
pared successfully to treat a case than
one who, perhaps, meets such a case
only two or three times in year. 1t
is necessary to have the surgeon, with
the clear brain and steady hand, who
has all the modern instruments with
which to perform an operation success
fully, while, on the other hand the fam
lily physician is often handicapped by
the fact that his means have not al
lowed him to supply himself with the
necessary instruments with which to
perform serious operations.
IL SnOulu Dt ItiltllBtLEA |AlAhN NAAl
young graduate has the theory of the
practice Of medicine, and he should be
considered the same as all men who
learn to do special things. 1t is the
putting Of knowledge into practice that
will make him perfect, and we should
do all we can to assist him and not
censure him, for although he is ply
sicfan -he.has feelings like other people.
Ofteiqttnas byii his careful treatment,
he wilt helm patients more than the old
physician who has become a little care
less seften taking too much for granted.
The atrue student. who has an aim in
life is the man who accomplishes much
and will be a successful practitioner.
The men OF whom people should be-
ware are those who spend their time
I'm billiard halls and can never be found
when they are needed. When we look
upon the gray head of the successful
old practitioner whom we have followed
from his first appearance in the town,
we know that his success has been won
by strict attention to his profession. We
look up TO such men, feeling that they
have not only been kind and skilful
physicians, but honored townsmen.