The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-08

long possessed my mind that the ultimate
solution of the negro problem must be
entrusted to the science of medicine. The
great questions that have exercised the
minds of individuals and people revert for
their ultimate solution. in many in
stances. to the physician. It was a physi-
clan who. as one of the national arbitra-
tors, suggested the first rational and ac-
ceptable terms of a cessation of hostlli-
ties between the North and the South.
The truest histories and records of the
past are those left by the physician. The
most trustworthy erbiter and counsel of
his day and generation is the physician.
He who wuld prognosticate with approx.
mate exactness finds his best resources
IN that technical knowledge and expert
ence appertaining to the practise and study
of medicine. The widest views in this
field az expressed by philosophers, philan-
thropists, moralists and jurists gain am
plitude by visualzing from the physicians
point Of view Nor is the cause Of this
special endowment of the physician far
to seek. In addition to that perfection
ment of vision secured by liberal educa-
ton, included in medicine there is Ii
contact and personal intimacy with hui
man weakness and frailty, through medi-
cal practice. which contributes to judi
cal capacity. He reads the book OF hu
man nature while the people turn the
leaves. The physicians response in per
Torrance duty to human kind becmes
habitual and self-acting. and the right
s followed instinctiyely without struggle.
being unconscious Of the stress and straln
Of duty. This exercise OF duty is coupled
with discernnent through which the seen
expresses the unseen. Furthermore, the
medical men has greatness of soul which
dissolves personal distinctions. The high
and the low, the rich and the poor, are
equal subjects of his impartial benefac-
tons. The true physician recognizes no
limitation by creed or doxy and has 10
field of service less wide that humanity.
To one thus endowed the moan of inius-
tice, the cry OF ignorance and shrek Of
pain are alike calls which inspire the actl-
witty of all the wisdom, courage and SYM
pathy which he possesses. No human call
ing tends to minimize self and maxibize
oenefcient Offices towards others like to
that OF the medical profession. This is
but n brief sketch of the medical man of
this twentieth century whom cyclopedias
commemorate and. whose name is craven
upon the fleshy tablets of human hearts
everywhere. Ii is the picture of the past,
the reality of the present. and is exempt
fed by the myriad noble thoughts and
countless self sacrificing deeds of physi-
clans of all ages and tongues.
In considering the negro question from
any point of view the concern of the en-
| tire nation on one hand. and the physical
mental and moral welfare of ten millions
of negroes on the other, await the secret
analysis and lonely delving.
The objective and subjective cause and
consequence may unfold under the scruti-
ny OF the trained eye and earnest mentali-
| ty Of unbiased inquiry. Where human VI
sion fails the onniscent eye of the micro
scope extends the field OF the finite to
the border lands of the infinite The pains
and penalties which human destinies or
dained may be differentiated from those
which are tho direct sequelae of violations
Of orthodox laws. There may be reveal
/ tons which the subject, if animate, would
fain conceal.
Discriminating the negro's physical char
acteristics as they reach cognition through
the medium of the sense of sight, we note
/ his general appearance. Those who are
/ defendants of unauthorized Ethiopian
/ stock and born beneath the Southern sun
are lacking in physical proportions in nine
! ty-nine per cent. A careful inspection re-
veals the body of the negro a mass OF
minor defects and imperfections from the
crown of the head to the soles Of the feet.
| The surface anatomy is full Of blemishes
which outnumber those of any other race
as will be shown il careful comparison be
made. The negro skeleton admits of iden-
| LITIGATION from that of the other races
because of pecularities of growth which
are general and special. To a general
view the negro body presents a COARSE
ness and a variety in symmetry with 9th
| err mathematical inaccuracies. The skull
of the negro is demonstrate heavier
thicker, and coarser in texture than that
| of the white man. Its surfaces are smooth
er, because the more complicated stluc-
lures leave their impress upon the Cauca
sian skull. We may accept the evidence
of the osteologist that the structure of the
long bones of the negro when examined
microscopically show comparatively less
minute capillary distribution. Moreover
! there appear on the records of PSYCHOLOGISTS
evidences Of the difference in the contour
and structure of the negro SKELETON cor
responding with the age and environment
| in which the subject lived. The superior
and inferior jaw bones of the negro race
give to the negro facial outlines a pecu
iarity easily objectifed. The feet and
hands and relative length of the extremi-
ties are racial marks which come out OF
the depth of centuries. Medical men can
not fail to note an inferiority in Ms
skeletal conformation and structure which
intimates the primatiye character of his
physical framework. Moreover. the pa.
! thologic records are full OF interesting de-
tails of the numerous diseases of the bony
structure of the negro race. In some OF
the soft structure which overhe the skel
etal frame work there is apparent gross
ness which would link him to animal an
cestors. The thickness of the skin of the
negro race is rarely observed in the paler
races. This. together with puffiness be-
meath the eyes. broad and dattened nose,
pouting lips, naso-labial folds, dull and
apathetic face, abdominal prominence. ez-
aggereted buttocks, inequality of the