The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-08

Wy ~Ho 0ssoSiAteu FresSJ
Boston, Mass, June THE promis-
cuous prescriber Of alcohol licensed as
a physician, but whose ethical sense
would degrade bartender, the per-
functory prescriber for a fee, the ven.
Ger OF habit-forming drugs--all are
educated criminals, a social menace,
but posing as physicians, DR.. Hubert
Work, Of Pueblo, Col, president, told
the American Medical Association con.
vention here today.
These physicians are tolerated by
the public" he continued, because OF
the integrity, efficiency and self-ab-
negation Of q majority Of medical men
so great that these derelicts almost
escape notice.
Il sometimes fear that we regard
yourselves as dictators in medical mat
tiers, when in reality we merely meet
The demands Of the public. We should
remember that numerically we are as
one in 500 among the people and that
our calling has always been granted
many privileges, some Of which are
being betrayed.
physicians are Indifferent to quack.
iery as competitor in all its phases
'Charlatans have no place in rational
medicine. They are adventurers, sup
ported by people who court deception
for the excitement of it., and who are
lwed by the mysteries Of ignorance.
Thoughtful men believe that a cri-
sis threatens established principles, and
thar physicians must now earnestly
address themselves TO the cause and
the prevention Of disease and disabil-
ity as the primary concept Of medi-
cine, safeguarding its principles, lest
the profession lost its esprit de corps,
and its place in public esteem If its
members become piece workers, it may
fail of public appreciation as an es.
sential economic factor in the preser-
vation Of the national wealth, be-
cause Of a depreciating national health.
Our medical outlook must then be
based on public welfare; and the func-
ton Of the physician should be not
only to treat, but also 10 prevent dis
ease in the families under his care, and
in the community Of which he Is a
part.
Years ago the general practitioner
conceived his duty to be that Of a
healer only He regarded disease as
inevitable, If not indeed prcvidential,
Later he advised his clientele how TO
avoid IL. Both Of these functions he
continues to exercise; but a new field
presents itself medical men must now
combat disease in the mass. Within
recent years our lay press has indi-
Gated welcome interest in matters
pertaining 10 public health.
Our people regard IL in a new
light, as virile, organized force. quite
Independent Of the sick chamber or
hospital environment. They see in the
practice OF medicine the. possible ap'
plication of civil morals by those
skilled Ia healing-and more. They
now urge that it must include the
larger field Of civic service for those
who are well; for social morals should
protect against disease, as well as
cure it, and business thrift has come
10 recognize medicine as an essential
in public policy. -
The practice Of medicine demon
ates some men TO the exclusion OF
many things that broaden and sweet
en- life. To boast Of no knowledge out
side a special, to smother interest In
cultural arts or collateral sciences. tc
ignore the spiritual distinction between
men and animals, Is to invite profes'
sional deterioration and exclusion from
the highest concepts Of the profession
No thought Is entertained OF mir
imizing the Importance Of Individual or
Isolated achievements. wish, rather
10 depreciate the tendency to attract
attention 10 them TO neglect of the
larger things in medicine. so necessary
to retain public confidence in our
profession. and TO secure cooperation
OF physicians instead Of their dissocia
ton, now threatened, largely through
special societies. which is tending &c
obscure medicine as national asset
The city now rears the healthies'
children, and schools them better, Of
fering conveniences and attractions
not 10 be found on the farm. Consol'
idated community schools have already
come, and with them must come
readily available protection to the
health OF rural dwellers, or we shall
very soon be compelled to pay famine
prices for our food. and the source
Of yirile men shall fail.
An economist Of health with gov