The state herald., 1907-09-13
BRUTALITY OF MEDICAL ETHICS.
A Great Surgeon Barred from Mem.
bership In Medical Association.

From the National Druggist for June
1907
DR.. Augustus Charles Bernays, who
died few days ago in st. Louis, was
probably, the foremost surgeon in the
extensive with the civilized world. He
was not only an operator of the high
est order, but a tireless and exhaus
tive worker In the field of original
cessful Caesarian section in 1889 in
st. Louis, and also the first successful
coeliotomy for gunshot wound of the
abdomen and the first gladstone opera
ton in Missouri. A record held by
DIR. Bernays has never been equaled:
out OF elghty-one successive cases
of appendicitis which necessitated
operations, seventy.one in succession
were with perfectly satisfactory re,
suits, the seyonty.second patient fail
ing Of recovery, but the subsequent
nine cases were successfully treated
And yet, with such n record. match,
less MS was his skill. varied and ex.
tensive as was his learning, wonder,
full as were his accomplishments. he
was not considered. by the American
Medical Association, as worthy OF
membership In that organization.
No charges were ever brough,
against him which, In the remotes,
degree. reflected ON his qualifications
as a surgeon; his moral character was
never the subject Of attack: he was
never accused OF having done any,
thing unbccoming n man or a gentle
man. "The head and front OF his Of
Tending had this cNtcnt-no morel'
He dared 10 think! lie refused ia
mold his opinions and 10 govern his
actions by the arbitrary rules which
those whom he knew TO be his infer
iors had set mp for his guidance! In
other words, he could not regard tn,
Code OF Ethics OF the American Medi
cal Association as being inspired. OF
having any binding authority on him
where his judgment told him II was
wrong. And so. twenty years ago
or more, on account OF some trivial In
fraction OF this sacred Code" a
movement was started TO eNpel him
from the local association. which was
only defeated by his hastily sending
in his resignation. As membership in
the A. VI. 4. Is dependent upon mem
borship in the local and State socie'
ties. HIS name was dropped by tho
national organization.
And 80. though he had saved thou
sands Of lives: though other physi.
clans had prohtcd by his art; this
brilliant surgeon. this great and ahle
man. has, during all these years, been
an outcast-a medical "scab:" no,
recognized MS ethical" or worthy OF
fellowship by that body OF physicians
banded together in the American Med
ical Association!
And this Is the association which.
under prctonse Of working for tho
public good. is. In reality. only seeking
TO control Congress and the State
Legislatures In the interest OF their
own selfish schemes: which ls trying
TO create a Cabinet position and To
place one Of It's members In that po'
Hition; which ic cndaayoring by law
20 exclude from the use Of the malls
all manufacturers of medicines who
do not comply with the absurd re-
quIromonts that they choose TO sot
up: which. In short. IN trying TO put
upon tho statute books OF State aud
nation laws that will. In effect, oatab
lish n kind Of medical priesthood. "a
which only their own mombors will be
eligible with power and control oyci
the health and lives Of tho pcople'
God help the drugFists, the drur
manufacturers. physicians not mem
bora OF their guild. and the people
generally, II this association over sue
cocdH In 90 undertaking, II II does
Il will. after the fashion Of tho labor
unions. dictate n closed shop" and
say 10 doctors who prefer 10 be- indie
pendent. you must Join our union
or. falling 10 do 10. compel them IA
ret out of the business, II will hay
what medicines shalt DO taken, aud
how thoy shall be- made u will hedge
the people about with n lot ot potts
regulations under pretonHo Of protect
INK the public health In ilno, m"dl
cal bureaucracy will bo established tt
tyrannlEo over tho people.
Let no man call this a false alarm
n there nfe those who are Inclined
60 do 80 let them read tho journal oi
tho A, NJ A. Let them scan Tho
proceedings of the association, held
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