The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1921-07-29


ence was made to an issue of the Gre
NADIA Sentinel of date Nov. 16, 1878,
that was so kindly given this Office
by DR.. T. j. Brown and last week
was reproduced the death roll Of
those who had died from yellow fever.
This week is reproduced an editorial
from that issue on "The SentinePs
Opinion of the Duty of Physicians
and Preachers in the Hour of Trial.
penned by the late J. w. Buchanan,
Editor Of the Sentinel at that time :
The Sentinels Opinion on the Duty
Of Physicians and Preachers in
The Hour Of Trial.
The instinct of self-preservstion
seems to be implanted in all living
organisms, and most powerfully In
men, causing them at times to make
the most enormous sacrifices, perform
most benevolent duties, and exercise
the most wonderful energies. There
are some callings or professions in
IciviliZed life where this powerful i'm
pulse of nature seems to be subordi-
mated to the control of the will, and
dedicated to the relief of human suf-
;fering. In this class, the physician
stands prominently forward. He
chooses a field where the lifelong
conflict is with suffering and death.
The very portals of the profession
introduce him to misery and woe. His
thought, his studies, his observation
all connect him with the most pain
full conditions of life, from the new
born infant to the end of mans
,allotted period; and begins with the
conditions Of physical existence. Be-
fore he receives the privilege of
"killing or curing" from the medical
college, he has not only studied all
the phases and conditions of disease
Jas expressed in letters, but with dia-
grams, plates, and other artificial ap-
pliances, he has followed its changes
and bearings as they progress to final
dissolution Of soul and body, when
the latter by piecemeal, is taken. to
pieces for the doctors instruction.
Thus prepared, he enters upon his
high and responsible trust, and soon
secures the confidence of families,
who confide to his skill and care not
only their physical infrmities, but
often introduce to his direction and
kindness, the most sacred concerns
that effect their peace and happiness.
When he enters upon these oblig1-
tions, there is no reserve made by
him for the light Of day and the
pleasantness of seasons, but he is to
come through the gloom of darkness
and torrents of rain, through sum-
mer's heat and winters cold. Nor is
there reserve, that he shall perform
his duties when the disease is light
and dangers few, for he has been
educated for all forms of diseases,
and while pestilence may take him
by surprise, it should never appall
him.
The physician may reach eminence
in his ordinary practice, but it is only
in times of fearful public calamity,
like the period through which we have
nifty of displaying all these great, but
latent qualities. which trying circum-
stances only can develop. For time
the true physician may be over
whelmed by failure to arrest the pro-
gress of the plague, but true to his
profession, true to his education and
true to his own noble nature, he
stands firmly by the suffering people,
exercising all the functions of skill
and courage at his command. without
the first thought of mis- own personal!
safety, beyond the suggestions of
prudence and necessity. So long as
he stands with dignity and self-pOs-
session administering kindly to the
relief of the distressed as best he can,
there is still hope for the stricken
multitude. Let him fee, however,
and CONSERVATION, if not wild dis
order, ensues. Be it said, to the
honor of the physicians, that few
proved towards in our recent troubles
and we presume, professionally. they
will die by inanation, with the brand