The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-03-10
Why Should Not A Phys
iCidn Advertise
By Vim. T. Ellison, Phi. G.
and NJ. D.
Specialist
Specialist
Ethics and Advertising

ulations by which the practice o
medicine and surgery are supposed
to be governed. These constitute
what is called The Code of Med
ical Ethics All doctors belonging
to this code are expected to strictly
observe its mandates. To do SO fol-
the protection and accommodation
and protection of other member,
means that you are a physician OF
ethical standing. To do otherwise
as the welfare and interest of your
patients frequently demand, is to in.
cur the unlimited abuse, villifcation,
and ostracism of large portion Of
the medical profession.
| One of the iron-clad rules of the
Ethical Code is that no physician,
however reputable and competent
he may be, shall be allowed to put
into public print his name, specially,
or modes of treatment.
| In response to this much mooted
question in medical circles, whether
or not the true specialist should ad-
vertise his ability and skill, | recall
the words of the greatest and most
popular clergyman of his time, the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, who
said:
Il am glad that doctor cured him.
| am glad that the doctor put it in
the paper that he could cure him;
and If any doctor is certain that he
can cure such disease and does not
put it in the paper, | am sorry.
What pity it would have been had
this doctor, with his wealth of
science and experience, left him I'M
cured! What pity it would, have
been if the afflicted man had been
so prejudiced against advertising as
to read the responsible certificate of
the doctor and yet give him the 60
by as quack! What are the news
papers for if not to circulate informa-
ton? What more valuable informa-
ton can a newspaper give than to
tell a sick man where he can be
cured? If man has devoted his
life and labor to the study of special
class of disease, the necessity of his
saying so becomes all the more press
ing. His duty to advertise becomes
imperious. The remedy for the ly-
ing advertisements of quacks is for
honest men to tell the truth. A
really able man, whatever may be
his gifts, makes great mistake if he
fails to use those gifts through want
of advertising"
These few simple words of the
eminent devine, based as they were
upon reason and common sense,
form an answer to the narrow and |
idiotic harangue of the ethical ring |
so sweeping and crushing that fur
Their comment seems superhuous.
Advertising is INDUCED in by en-
terprising men in all the various
walks of life. 1t is resorted to BY
manufacturers and merchants in or
der to inform the consumers where
they can best supply their wants: by
railroads and hotels in order to let
travellers and strangers know how to
reach their destination and where to
be taken care of after their arrival;
by schools, colleges, church societies
and other worthy institutions in or
der to inform the public of their OBJ
jects and aims.
Then why should this same priv
ilege be denied to the physician,
whose mission, most essential of all
to man earthly happiness, is to fell
sick people where they can get well9
To truthfully and honestly adver-
tise is not only the legal privilege Of
the expert specialist, but it is his
moral duty. If he has long studied
and thoroughly mastered single
class OF disease, thereby acquiring
knowledge and skill that would bless
and benefit mankind, he should say
so through the medium of the press.
Why should he modestly hide his
light under bushel? Why should
he keep from others that which
would make their lives longer and
happier? Is not such a course OF
conduit sin of omission that calls
for prompt and severe censure?
The ethical doctor does not OBJ
ject to advertising whenever he can