The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1918-12-20
Or, ALLEN REPLIES To
DOCTORS COMBINE"
States Mercenary Claims
For The Medical
Profession.
Cromwell, Ky, Dec, 10, 1918.
Mr.. John II. Thomas,
Hartford, Ky,

tTOI0WtIi, NY, bON't ~
Mr.. John II. Thomas,
Hartford, Ky,
Dear Sir:-A few weeks ago you
sad an editorial in the Hartford Re
publican entitled: THE Doctors Com
aine." in which you seemed very
much distressed over our organiza-
,ion. We could not help but wonder
why? In your next issue you state
shat you voiced the sentiment of many
good citizens all over the county, and
advise that we meet and rescind such
action as we have taken because of
it's being a dangerous precedent and
detrimental to the community.
To those who have been successful
m securing medical service, by just
promising to pay for it, we will admit,
It is detrimental to them and Of
sourse we expect them to raise
howl. because dropping Gold
Brick" on a fellows head is sure liza
Bile to be more or less painful, just
according to how hard it strikes him
you know.
will not question your motive in
writing this editorial, but take it for
granted you are sincere in your views,
and welcome this opportunity to give
you some ideas from the Doctors
viewpoint, feeling that you are broad
minded enough to give every phase of
a subject due consideration.
There are many things connected
with the practice of Medicine. that
are not fully appreciated by the
'I.aity," in fact they do not think
very much about the doctor or his
profession, only when they get sick,
and then they expect him to come
Vhen called regardless of the wealth
sr, day or night, and ask no questions
about the pay; and if he does ask
about his pay, some even think he is
hard-hearted because he will not visit
the sick unless he is paid for it.
The medical profession itself is re-
d
Of the ideas you expressed, ideas
which have been handed down from
generation to generation.
Years ago in the settlement of this
country there were practically no re-
strictions on the practice of medicine,
and any one who felt oinclined
could get him few roots and herbs,
visit the sick, and win for himself the
title; Doctor" Many of the older
people can recall knowing doctors of
this type.
These men went whenever and
wherever called and never asked for
any pay. They eked out bare exist
anee, many of them worked at some
thing else for an additional support.
They never made any advancement in
the knowledge of medicine save that
which was gained from observation.
say tbs with all due respect to
those old pioneers of medicine. They
did a great service for their respective
communities and should be honored
Tor the work they have so generously
done.
Medicine gradually became more of
a science, more restrictions were plac-
"a around it. the requirements be-
came more rigid, until at the present
time you rarely see doctor who is
not a graduate of a reputable medi-
cal college.
The business phase of medicine has
not kept pace with the scientific
phase New remidies and methods
nj treating diseases were being
discovered by the great students OF
medicine, which necessiated continu-
al reading and study to keep abreast
OF the times. This prevented in a
measure. the study of the business
side of the profession. 1t is a COM
mon expression made that: Doctors
are poor business men," that is quite
lrue in most instances. The real
scientific doctor and at the same
time a good business man is an ex-
coption, rather than rule The
average salary of the doctors of the
state just previous to the war, was
only about eight hundred dollar IA
year. Any one who will give this a
moments thought will know that we
can not live on salary of that Size
and keep apace with the advancement
Of medicine.
The people for whom we practice
are entitled to the best service that
can possibly be rendered, and in or
der to give this, We must have time
for study. we must take medical
journals, attend Medical Societies,
and occasionally take POSTGRADUATE
work.
What we really need is to do less
proctice and get more for what we
do; then we should have time for
study and means to equip ourselves