The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-05
NEGRO MEDICINE MEN
 MAKING PROGRESS A National Gathering at Baltimore Reflects Credit
 on the Race. A NOTABLE ASSEMBLY Some of the Men Present and Their Views
 and Work.
A NOTABLE ASSEMBLY


 National Association of Negro Physi- clans, Dentists and Pharmacists have just held most interesting session in this city There are in the United States over 2,000 negroes practicing the several branches of the medical profession, some 300 of whom are members of this association. One hun dred and sixty-one doctors answered to the roll-call in Baltimore. In many ways this body represents the most in- teresting professional group to be found among colored men. Every one of them holds a degree from some reputable college, has been subjected to the same tests applicable to white practitioners, and has measured up to the fitness of the stature set by the profession. In personal bearing and demeanor, in general culture and breadth of information, in profess sional knowledge and equipment, they represented a body of men that mak- eth not ashamed. Graduates of the best known colleges in the North and West, as well as the negro medical schools, are found in this association. Harvard, Yale, Columbia, the Univer- sity of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania contribute numerous alumni to the work of this body, while perhaps the majority come from Howard university at Washington, D. C., Maharry medical college at Nash vile, Tenn, and the Leonard medical school at Raleigh, N. c, At present the medical profession offers the most inviting field for negro professional talent. On the average the negro doctor can command about twice the income of the lawyer or preacher. In consequence, the most capable and ambitious colored youth are now docking into this profession. There are over a thousand negro students in the various medical colleges throughout the country
 The Democratic mayor of Baltimore welcomed the association to the city in words of such kindly sympathy and catholicity of spirit and with such evident sincerity of meaning, that on leaving the room he was accorded a hearty Chautauqua salute. The pre- siding officer facetiously remarked that the only objection he could urge to this mode of demonstration was that such waving of handkerchiefs might disseminate democratic baccilh. On the first day of the proceedings reports were read from local associa- tions. It developed that such associ- ations exist in almost every State and large city which are federated in the national body, to which they make an- nua1 reports. Such cities as Wash ington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Louisville, Nashville and Savannah re- port local membership ranging from twenty to fifty practitioners. Such re- ports bring out clearly the missionary function of the negro physician in dis seminating health knowledge and sanitary intelligence among the peo- pie. As one speaker put 1t, 'The fee represents but a small part of the work of the negro physician, our chief labor is the physical building up and betterment of the people," Another speaker declared that medicine was the most unselfish of all the profes- sions, because it prepared people to do without it's dispensation. The pa- triotic service of the negro physician in that his ministration tends to in crease the efficiency of the labor units who through ignorance or neglect might otherwise become enfeebled by disease, and thus increase the public burden, furnished the theme for gen eral discussion. The deepest interest was manifested in general sanitary and vital problems, and the members were urged to cooperate with State and local authorities to check the rav- age of consumption and other dread disease, to which the negro seems to fall so easy a prey. A request from the committee of 100s on national health for cooperation in their patri- otic endeavor was most enthusiasti- cally responded to.
 One was interested in the unusual testimony of the kindly fraternal spir- 1t existing between white and colored physicians in all parts of the country. The white physician never refuses to extend to his colored colaborer the pIOlGSSlOlleil lpiltly olllu courtesy. There is no caste in sci ence or sickness.
 More attention, as was fitting, was given to tuberculosis than to any oth- CT single topic. How to check the rav- ages of this white plague which preys upon black victims seemed to be the deepest concern of all present. The a1.D1 conclusion xrroe 41rn1 rok h by Dr. w. H. Wright of Baltimore, when he said: We must care for the eonsumptive at the right time, at the right place and in the right Ray, till he is cured, rather than, as at present to treat him at the wrong time, at the wrong place and in the wrong way till he is dead. The paper on child car ing py Dr. Roberts of New York pointed out the awful and unneees- sary waste of life, especially among negro children, by reason of ignor- ance illettentiun and neglect. Indeed consumption and infant mortality are the two danger points threatening the continuance of the neelo race in this country, It is most encouraging to see negro physicianG attacking these pr )blems with intelligence and skill, and in the spirit of human servic4.
 Tie papers and discussions through out were characterized by intelligent conception, clear and accurate know,- e elge of the subject treated and ripe ness of experience that gave weight and seri0usness to the deliveranees. NTn,,N, of fhe SlOipc4t were purely technica! and could be appreciated only by those whc had been initiated ip the cult. The title of one of the