Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-21

triumph OF scientific Medicine.
OMAHA, July Ito the Editor Of The
Bee; The late DIR. Nicholas Sem OF Chi
cago gave an excellent review OF the
progress Of medicine, especially Of recent
years. Journal A. NJ. A., June /, 1906
He said there is no country, with the
possible exception Of Japan, where the
medical profession has made more rapid
strides than in the United states. AS evil
dence of this he pointed out our many
thoroughly equipped medical schools and
laboratories, the activity of the profession
as shown by the number Of medical socie-
ties and the interest in their meetings. the
reorganization Of the American Medical
association and consequent greater unity
of the profession, the higher status OF
American medical literature and the higher
standards In medical education and in the
conditions Tor admission to practice. All
these things. DR.. Sem said. had been
brought about in a very short time by the
voice and action Of a hard working united
profession. He further stated that the
triumphs of preventive medicine are en-
HANGED from the discovery Of vaccination,
over a century ago, to the more recent
acquisitions in the p~rophylaxis Of tetanus,
typhoid fever, cholera, yellow fever,
malaria and bubonic plague. The medicine
Of the future is preventive medicine, and
its final triumph will be the suppression
Of disease.
Now, what has been pointed out by the
above named eminent physician should re-
ceive undivided attention from the pro-
fesslon as well as the public.
In the first place, 1t is all important
that the medical profession shall comply
with uniform requirements, regardless OF
school or sect, in order to safeguard the pub
lie against incompetent or unfit practition-
ers. The question as to whether a physi-
clan Is a homeopath or eclectic does not
signify that he is superior in skill to those
who are graduated by other medical
schools.
The idea intended is that every reputa-
BILE physician shall qualify himself in all
medical science and not make a "cure air
out of any one thing, but be broad gagged
and open 20 receive amy truth no matter
from whom or whence It comes.
Medicine, in a general sense, Is an i'm
perfect but progressive science and there
fore can not belong to an exclusive or re-
stricted sect, any more than can farming
or navigation. Practically, medicine in
cludes all forms or systems Of treatment,
whether 1t be advice, suggestion, manipuia-
ton, mechanics or the use of drugs. Sc
that the qualified practitioner has a con-
sistent right TO prescribe the select ax-
tracts of the eclectic, the pllules or in
finitesimal doses of the homeopath, the
wet pack of the hydropath, the galvanic
current of the electropath, the suggestion
of the .hypnotist and Christian scientist
the rubbing and manipulation OF the
masseur and osteopath, the faith and
prayer Of the Christian, etc.
In the second place, It is highly i'm
portant that the public shall encourage a
higher standard of medical education and
that they give more strict attention to the
laws OF health and prevention of contage.
GUS diseases as well as the d-isparagemen
of patronizing strange or pretentious
healers who go about the country wearing
Quaker hats, cowboy dress or Indian garb
for the sole purpose of deceiving and max.
Ing people believe that they possess su,
perier power TO heal as against the edu-
Gated and up-to-date physician who is be
comingly clothed and in his right mind.
In the third place, 1t is not only i'm.
portant that there shall be a united pro.
fession and cooperative public, but thai
there shall be laws enacted and enforced
prohibiting any person from engaging ir
the practice Of medicine who has not beer
graduated from a reputable medical col.
lege. This is in the interest OF the people
as we'll as the medical profession, and 1t IL
the privilege OF every thinking physician
not only to evolve thoughts on Legislation
and help educate the community, but t
do all in his power to secure protective
enactments. J. c. BATBSoN, NJ. D.