The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-09-19
BRUTALITY OF MEDICAL ETHICS
a Great Surgeon Barred from Mem
bership in Medical Association.

bership in Medical Association.
(From the National Druggist for June,
1907
DIR. Augustus Charles Bernays, who
died a few days ago in st. Louis, was,
probably the foremost surgeon in the
United States. His fame was CO.
extensive with the civilized world. He
was not only an operator of the high
est order, but tireless and exhaus-
tive worker in the field of original
surgery. He performed the first sue
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 eighty-one successive cases
of appendicitis which necessitated
operations, seyenty-one in succession
were with perfectly satisfactory re-
suits, the seventy-second patient fail
ing of recovery, but the subsequent
nine cases were successfully treated
And yet, with such a record, match
less as 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 brought
against him which, in the remotest
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 unbecoming a man or a gentle
man. "The head and front of his of
Tending had this extent-no more!"
He dared to think! He refused to
mold his opinions and to govern his
actions by the arbitrary rules which
those whom he knew to be his infer.
Tors had set up for his guidance! In
other words, he could not regard the
Code of Ethics of the American Medi.
cal Association as being inspired or
having any binding authority on him
where his judgment told him it was
wrong And so. twenty years ago
or more. on account of some trivial in.
fraction of this sacred Code"
movement was started to expel him
from the local association, which was
only defeated by his hastily sending
In his resignation. As membership In
the A. NJ. a. is dependent upon mem
bership in the local and State socie-
ties, his name was dropped by the
national organization.
And so, though he had saved thou.
sands of lives, though other physi.
clans had protited by his art this
brilliant surgeon; this great and able
man, has. during all these years. been
an outcast--a medical ''scab;" nor
recognized as 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 pretense of working for the
public good, is, in reality, only seeking
to- control Congress and the State
Legislatures in the interest of their
own selfish schemes: which is irving
to create a Cabinet position and 10
place one of its members in that no. |
sitioD which is endeavoring by law
10 exclude from the use of the mails |
all manufacturers Of medicines who |
do not comply with the absurd ra. |
quirelients that they choose 10 set |
up; which, in short. is trying TO put
upon the statute books of State and
natioi laws that will, in effect estab.
hsh kind of medical priesthood to
which only their own members will no
eligible with power and control over
the health and lives of the people,
tod help the druggists. the druq
manufacturers, physicians not mem.
oers OF their guild. aud the neonla
generally. II this association eyer enc
eeeds In its undertaking If it does
1t viii. after the fashion Of the lahor
unions, dictate a closed shop" and
say TO doctors who prefer 10 he in5o.
pendent. You must iotn onr union
or, railing 10 do so. compsl tbs,, -
se' out OF the business II viii say
what medicines shall be taken ana
now they shah be made. II win b,ars
the people abou, with LOT Of nett.
r,esu!aIions under preteuse of nro,eo,.
my pUole health. In tine. a mn5i
eai bureaucracy will be- established -,
VtaAnize over the people.
Let no man call this false o,au.
II There are those Who are ,nc,,ra -.
% DO SO let them read the Journal =.
Tue \. NJ A Let them scan -
~ oeee'iings Of the association NJ
A~9\s behind closed doors ana - -
lu'iy edited AS they are. before , r..
arg published IN its ohcial o-e,, Il,
.heS VIII do This they will see ma,
are not trying To create d bsga5o, ~ y,
Ttsa'ea their rmid son's 1'''' '' .
Products Of Ton Of p...
by experiments recently n'.s.
tAS institute OF Torh-.,F. a.