The Detroit times., 1909-06-24
WOULD UNsEAL
DOCTORS LIPS
Homeopaths Say Physicians Should
Disregard Patients Condolences if
Twill Protect the innocent.


principle of the medical profession
that holds sacred the knowledge I'M
parted In confidence by patient to
his physician, was proposed by Dr.
James c. Wood, a distinguished pro-
iesspr and medical practitioner OF
Cleveland. Wednesday morning, be-
fore the bureau OF sanitary science
and public health, another adjunct or
the American Institute OF Homeopa-
thy, In the Y NJ. &. A. auditorium
The proposed amendment-and from
the nature OF the discussion 1t evoked
1t is almost certain to be adopted by
the convention-will permit physi-
clans to set aside this rule-when
they feel that to maintain secrecy
would work harm TO innocent parties
Speaking on this point, DR.. Wood
said
we have been too long embar-
raised by section two OF article one
OF our medical code, which reads: "A
physician Is bound 10 keep secret
whatever he may hear or observe In
the discharge OF his professional duty
tient or his family. | suggest that the
section be amended by the addition OF
the words, unless IL is probable that
such secrecy will result in harm TO
others. in which event IL becomes the
duty OF the physician to protect the
innocent party or parties.
The entire morning session was de-
voted almost exclusively to the read
ing and discussion of DR.. Woods pa
per on what was characterized as the
greatest of all socials evils, that grow.
ing out OF a disregard for moral laws.
After citing number Of striking
cases. showing how promising lives
had been wrecked in their bloom for
lack of timely warning, Drf Wood
continued:
These cases constitute the tragedy
OF tragedies. and the great question
which presents itself to US o: the med
ical profession is, are we as pro-
fession doing our full duty In safe
guarding the public and the young men
and young women entrusted TO our
care? The lay press has awakened 70
the importance OF the subject, and all
sorts OF theories are being advanced,
the vast majority of which are ideal
istic rather than practical and ex-
pedient But long as ambitions
mothers continue TO marry their
daughters 10 young men OF wealth and
high social position, no matter what
their habits may be. rather than 70
young men OF character and sobriety.
so long will the tragedies that have
been cited continue to repeat them
selves. So long as we continue 10 ed
ucate our daughters in the extrava-
CANT habits of modern life so long will
the young men of limited income find
IL impossible to assume the response
bilities of marriage and this evil
have spoken OF will prevail.
1.-The total abolition Of the evil is
dream as Utopian as the total aboli-
ton of the drink habit, but we owe 1t
10 society to do what we can toward
| lessening the evils OF both. More de-
ponds on the character OF the individ-
ua and on education than on stump
tuary laws and penal codes. Instinct
cannot be abrogated by legal enact
ments. The whole problem must be
solved in the family and by the In
dividual rather than by legislatures.
We should enter on a campaign OF
education far reaching and thorough.
Our youth should be instructed in
matters pertaining to physiology and
hygiene. Young men should be warn
| ed OF the responsibility resting on
! them ard the general practitioner
should take greater precaution in as
tsuring himself that there is no bar 10
marriage.
when It comes to the protection
! OF our young women, we have been
too long handicapped by the fact that
our code OF ethics forbids the revela.
ton OF secrets OF the consulting room,
and this is condition that should DE
remedieG speedily"
DR.. Wood advocated legislation
looking to the greater protection OF
young women and declared that physi-
clans and parents are derelict In their
duties If they do not educate the
young people in all that pertains to
the subject.
DR.. James w Ward, OF San Fran
cisco, who will probably be the next
president of the association. present
ed a paper I'm which he told OF the
eradication OF the plague In San Fran
cisco following the earthquake. Rats
and flcas were largely responsible for
its spread. he said, and, in his opin.
ion. the safety Of the public health
demanded the destruction of all rats
on ships coming from foreign ports,
before landing.
A real healthy scrap" has develop
ed over the Homeopathic Journal, the
organ OF the institute, which is still
in its swaddling clothes. A committee
headed by DR.. b. +. Bailey. OF Lin
coin, was appointed at last years con.
vention In Kansas City. 10 take up
the question OF establishing a journal
! that should represent the institute.
The committee entered into contract
with the Medical Century Co. of New
York. which has been publishing the
paper for several months
A very considerable faction OF the
homeopaths. led by Drs. c. E Fisher.
Of Chicago. and DR. Eugene II. Por.
ter. OF New York. are opposed to ac-
cepting the report Of the journal com
mittee and raise the point that the
committee had no authority to enter
into a contract with the Medical Cen
tury. In very warm session. early
"Wednesday morning, they produced