The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1910-03-17
Why Should Not A Phys
iCidn Advertise
BY Vim. T. Ellison, Phi. G.
and M. D.
Specialist
Ethics and Advertising

fact when | assert that there exists
among many physicians a long list
of fixed rules and hide,bound reg
ulations by which the practice of
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 for
the protection and accommodation
and protection of other members
means that you are a physician of
ethical standing. To do otherwise,
as the welfar and interest of your
patients frequently demand, is to in
cur the unlimited abuse, villihcation,
and ostracism of a 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 airy doctor is certain that he
can cure such disease and does not
put it in the paper, am sorry.
What a pity it would have been had
this doctor, with his wealth Of
science and experience, left him un
cured! What pity it would have
been if the afflicted man had been
so prejudiced against adv&sising 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
saving 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 a 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
ther comment seems superfluous.
Advertising is INDUCED in by en-
terprsing 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 ,heir 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 pu5lic of their OBJ
jects and aims.
Then why should this same priv
ilege be denied to he physician,
| whose mission, most essential of all
70 man earthly happiness, is TO fell
sick people where they can get we'll?
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 a 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
happierP Is not such a course of
conduit sin of omission that calls