The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-30

I MIA Health Bulletin. published by the
state department of health. contains
an address by DR.. Dixon. Pennsylva-
MAS commissioner of health, the
| theme being "The Family Physician.
] The address was delivered before the
annual conference of county medical
inspectors and supervisors of state
| tuberculosis dispensaries. From IL the
| following excerpts are made:
In the literature of a century ago
three figures stand out prominently
| from the general background in all ef-
forts to depict American life. While
this was especially true of the smaller
towns and country villages. yet 1t also
held good for the cities in a modified
degree.
These figures were the minister.
the Judge and the doctor. They were
the types in the minds of the people
of all that was respectable. cultured.
refined and worthy of honor. BY ed
ucation and by professional attainment
| and association they belonged to a
class by themselves. so distinct indeed
that in New England the great med
ical humorist. oliver Wendell Holmes.
designated 1t the Brahmin caste. OF
these three WORTHLESS the minister COM
manded. to the highest degree prob
ably. the reverential respect Of the
community: the judge was held in the
greatest awe and his opinion was more
constantly sought in political and
civic matters: but the physician held
the affections of the people and on the
whole was probably more of II con-
trolling factor in shaping public opin-'
ion and in the dissemination of knowl-
edge on familiar subjects than either
of the others.
Speaking a. one having authority
on medical matters. IL Is easy To I'M
derstand how he became an authority
on all subjects of a scientific nature
and So was looked upon as a sort of
walking encyclopaedia IL he trusted
as the ultimate reference on all sub
jects save those af religion and the
law, which had their own special ex-
ponents. The intimate friend and con-
fidant of his patients. he became ia
miliar with family histories and
troubles and was constantly appealed
to for advice in the solution of do
mestic difficulties. His presence dur
ing circumstances IF stress, anxiety
and affliction brought him very near
to their hearts, 50 that even the min
lister was scarcely bound To them by
closer ties. Under his watchful super
vision families grew up. came to ma
turity and in their turn established
families of their own. 50 that he be-
came a traditional element in the fam
lily life To share in every rejoicing
and to be appealed To in every emer-
gency. medical or otherwise. The
power for good which he thus welded
in his neighborhood cannot he over
estimated, and the use which he made
of it, as a general rule. contributed
largely TO making his profession hon
ored and respected.
Two of these figures still occupy II Il
good degree the inches To which for
mer generations assigned them. The
clerical and the judicial representa-
tives are yet looked up tn for instruc-
ton and guidance and continue to be
leaders of the people. But can we
with clear conscience make the same
claim for our own profession. Has
not the physician measure bly, stepped
ueNh rum his ptuSstdI Siu Ifdstu 10
be the controlling factor III the affairs
of the community as Well as in its do
nestle life that he once wass And
has he not. to considerable extent.
himself To thank for this change in
the attitude of the public. Instead of
making the esteem, affection and con-
fidence" Of his families and the COM
munity his chief goal. has not mis-
thoroughly laudaSle ambition To build
up a reputation for Il high desre of
technical knowledge led him to neg
lect the psychological treatment 50
essential in the practice Of medicine.
even in this day when medicine is al
most entitled to be called an exact
science
DIR. Dixon then presents word
picture of the busy city doetar of to-
dav in his daily routine. His early
office hours over he is rushed in his
automobile To the house Of a client,
where the illness of the mother of the
family has called him, He hastens
to her bedside. diagnoses the case
quickly and accurately. leaves a pre-
scription exactly suited TO the needs
of the patient. promises To call again,