The Washington herald., 1913-02-09
aim OF MODERN SURGEON
IS TO PREVENT DISEASE
Humanitarian Idea Is Back Of All His Labors- Although
Seems Paradoxcal, Surgeons Are Trying to Prevent
That from Which They Gain Their Bread.

(Cuutubutsd by the Medical Society Of the Distrcs
Of CoiumbiA)
The highes: aim Of the modern sur
econ is the prevention of disease rather
than its cure. Paradoxical as 1t may
seem. he is trying to prevent that from
which he gains his daily bread. 1t Is
this great humanitarian ideal that has
won for the surgeon the high praise OF
our most noted educator, Prof. Eliot, Of
Harvard
By practicing those operations which
may save his patient from more serious
ones in the future he is doing his pars
in the conservation of the human race
And further he is educating the public
to recognize the time when simpler
treatment may prevent the grave after
effects. The old mantle of mystery has
been thrown aside and a campaign OF ed
ucation has taken its place. Nearly all
of the chronic diseases that flesh Is heir
to. have their origin in relatively simple
conditions. To teach the public the I'M
portance of preventive surgery, and par
ticularly the time and conditions which
demand it is the object Of these papers.
The preventive surgery of the various
regions of the body has been discussed
in previous papers, and with those
classes not yet touched upon the series
CT papers will be concluded.
In discussing this division, let Us begin
nv making a plea for the practice OF the
ancient and sacred custom OF circumci-
sion BY SO doing many infectious dis-
eases and many cases of hernia are pre-
vented. II is a significant fact that can
Ger in this region is practically unknown
in the Jew. Cancers. enlarged glands.
and ulcers may be prevented also by
the prompt removal of warts and small
ulcers. Structures, enlarged prostats,
when properly treated, may be prevented
from causing many serious troubles that
follow them Pus and basteria in the
urine and many cases Of kidney and
bladder diseases may be relieved oy rc~
moving local sources of infection. Skill
full, gentle manipulation and present-day
respect for the principles of cleanliness
during examination and treatment OF
these conditions have resulted in a great,
ly diminished number of genito-urinarv
diseases -
The cure Of cancer of the rectun IL
one of the most difficult and uncertain
operations in surgery. The cure OF In
1iammation of that organ. however, II
comparatively easy. Piles are often the
first chapter in the history of case
of cancer OF the rectum. Tts cure Of
piles and other infiammatory conditions.
as assures flstula, and assesses. pre-
vents many cases of cancer. and also
many disorders of the liver and bile
ducts, which often follow as remote re-
suits of rectal Inflammation
Preventive surgery of Extrcmities.
We can merely mention here some OF
the things which call for preventive sur
gical measure. Club foot. infantile parai-
ysis, gangrene, joint disease. varicose ul-
GERS. fractures. and ricketts,. Here. as
everywhere. prevention Is easier. safer.
and saner than cure. and IT Is doing won
ders In this class OF work.
II Is a common observation that when
any operation is done on patient he
expects forever to remain well of the
symptoms present before operation.
Therefore, all diseased conditions that