Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-07-25
..poco AND HIS PROFESSION.

There was 2 notable meeting yester-
day when the regular physicians OF
three counties gathered to discuss
questions relative to their profession,
the health of communities and to con-
fer with one another as to methods
and means and modes applicable TO the
more effective practice Of their art.
1t was a conference distinctive OF
change. The papers read before the
Tri-County Medical Association would
have set the world ringing with af-
firmation and denial forty years ago
The methods advocated and approved
were most of them entirely changed
from those the past generation OF
medical knew as the best of their time.
There has been revolution in the medi-
cal profession since within the memo
ries of men still young bacterioiogy and
asepsis and the later narvels of medi-
cine and surgery have gwen us the
anti toxins, the safety Of abdominal
surgery and not alone the power out
the purpose to destroy off the face Of
the earth epidemics OF typhoid by
germicidal processes.
"Old Doc" good man he in his day
of forty grain doses of calomel of cup
ping and bleeding, of lauiabie pus and
granulation from the bottom Of the
wound has given way to 4 higher and
more useful type, type let US not for
get that sprang from the loins OF that
medical profession of years past which
while 1t may have been both mistaken
and technically unfit was YET most SIN
cere and imbued with the finest at
tribute of the physician. the desire
TO make the most of opportunity.
The modern physician is most ex-
cellently fitted for practice so far as
education may 1T him. The day when
one term at any medical school, actual
or alleged was considered a good start
and when the lack OF general practice
laws turned callow and IN many cases
ignorant youths loose in shoals to
experiment upon the bodies of those
bold or foolish enough to take the
chance is forever past. These car
pet baggers of medicine have gone
with the turnkey and the scalpel tina.
old doc wherted on his boot before he
opened boil. In their place have come
of adj cfna trained
men, of whom is demanded at the
door of the profession certificate OF
high school education. The demand
will be made still greater III the pro-
lection OF the profession which is also
the protection OF the public.
II is not long since auputation was
made upon screaming human beings
strapped immovably TO j table. 1t is
not long since typhus and yellow fevers
held their sway. 1t is matter of days
since diphthoretic Group was death
sentence and even less since spotted
fever" meant death in most cases, de-
forrnity or idiocy in others and recov-
cry IN Few. III Is a space OL mon LIE
sinces mallpox was a terror. When ths
progress of this profession is measured
by its achievement it surpasses that OF
invention, industry, commerce, govern
nent. The doctors may stand at the
head OF the class.
| All may prophecy. None dare deny
the possibilities of medical practice in
the coming years. We have already
| become as gods holding the power OF
| life and death. History IS little noted
| In the making but today the researches
| Of the scientist are greater than o,
yesterday Tomorrow shall see what i
shall see and among that which it shall
greet with gratitude waits a specific
for cancer, a cure for tuberculosis, {
decrease of infant mortality to thu
vanishing point and increased happi-
ness for all the race.