The Washington times., 1905-03-25
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
TALKS TO NAVAL DOCTORS
CONTINUED from First Page.)

~
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diplomas, but you are officers of the
navy as well. Therefore you have a
| double standard Of duty up to which to
| live.
'All of us have a peculiar apprecia-
| ton Of what 1t means to be a doctor
All understand that a family doctor
stands in a position of close relation
ship. under which we are happy 70 rest
| secure. All of US who are fortunate
enough to have a family doctor who is a
close and intimate friend realize that
there can be few closer ties in the
world.
A Two-Fold Influence.
''Now as to a doctors responsibility
The effect on the body of the patient is
often no less than the effect on the
patients mind. Each Of you has a high
responsibility not only for the care OF
the body of the enlisted man, but a care
not too consciously to be felt-of in
f1uence on the mans spirit. The morale
of the ships company will be sensibly
affected by the way each of you does
his duty The influence Of thoroughly
well-trained men, added to a high
standard of work. is well-nigh fncalcu-
liable. want you now to feel that as on
your shoulders rests this great response
bility. on you will be the highest repro
baton If you do not live up TO II.
II will not speak much Of the require
ments of your profession. but only OF
few instances. 1t Will come 10 your iot
to deal with certain tropical diseases.
You should fit yourselves to deal with
them not only in individual cases, but to
give assistance thereby to your fellows
in civil life. It is of consequence to the
49, lev, t1.~S
you should be able to deal with them,
but, in a way, to be of advantage to the
stay-at-home practitioners
Officials Not to Blame.
Every opportunity should be given
you and every effort should be made TO
convince the national legislators of that
view In time Of war it is impossible
to improve a medical corps. 1t is al
ways more so IN the army, because
that branch of the service is more eX-
banded then.
1T is foolish to the last degree for
the public and press to complain, to
shrek against the persons in power
at such q time. But let them shrek
no, don't let them shrek at all; have
the National Legislature act in time
and thus obviate difficulties which can
be prevented by foresight. Let them
remember not to blame the people I'M
der whom the break occurs, but TO put
the blame on themselves for their fall
ure to do what ought to have been
done.
Do Your Best Work.
"One thing / want to emphasize on
every medical man in the army or navy.
Remember that in every crisis you will
have to work with imperfect imple-
ments. Do not sit down and talk about
what you could have done If you had
cnIy had the proper instruments for the
most skillful work, but always strive to
do the very best you can do, If you have
only a jack-knife to do it.
ut is almost sure you will have to do
things under difficulties. l saw that at
Santiago. You will have to do four or
five times what you would have to do
under ordinary circumstances. Get the
best preparation and then turn in to do
the best you can.
II have no more to say. / think all
of us e-oUtsiders-beiieve that these
men, now young, will by their active
lives uphold the standard of the army
and navy. / greet you on your entry
into the service. l greet you as servants
of the nation. and I congratulate you on
the great and honorable calling which
you have chosen
President and Mrs. Roosevelt were es-
corted to their carriage, and returned
to the White House The day outdoors
was beautiful. and the President SEEM
ed 20 enjoy the breath of springtime In
the air.
The band meanwhile. played, and
then Prof. William H. WEIGH, of Johns
Hopkins University, addressed the grad
yates. The closing remarks were made
by DR.. Marmion. president of the school
faculty, and were followed by the bene-
diction.
Massachusetts headed the list Of