The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1922-03-10
Practice of Medicine a Science
or a Guess !?

MoQlcln6 mas AT laSC JaK6D posi-
ton among the fixed sciences. The
principles underlying medicine are
as capable of demonstration and are
as fixed and exact as those underly-
1 ing mathematics or astronomy
Then why should there be doubt or
uncertainty concerning the applica-
ton of those principles? Several
answers or reasons might be given
and ALL the reasons given might be
In part, correct. 1st, it might be the
practitioner has not been sufficient
| ly grounded in and familiarized with
these principles. A few decades ago
the country was flooded with insti-
tutions that proposed to teach med
icine, and yet many of these insti-
tutions were lily fitted and equipped
to carry out the task. But worst of
all, they admitted students who
were so poorly prepared to begin the
study of medicine that it was a
moral and physical impossibility
for them to master the science they
were studying. | trust | may be
pardoned if l refer to the fact that |.
as a member of the State Board of
Health for quite a few years. had
some small part in the abating of
this evil. A brighter and better day
for medicine and those engaging in
the study and practice of medicine
as well as for the public, has dawn
ed. The diploma mills, run for
money, have been practically put
out of business. The medical schools
are now so we'll endowed or other
wise provided with money that they
can afford to turn away from their
doors all applicants who have not
been educated in the fundamentals |
to such an extent that they can ac-
quire a medical education. Hence |
the public can feel sure that any
man coming out of the medical
schools in recent years is qualified
to undertake the practice of his
profession. But notice, ] say is
qualified to undertake or BEGIN. -
For medicine is not only an exact
science. but it is progressive. The
man who stands still will fail-he
must go forward or be left behind.
We have post graduate courses,
societies. magazines and
journals that no man can afford to
neglect if he proposes to stay
abreast. Again, there are means at
hand for exact and scientific dag
nosis; they are expensive and troub-
lesome. In order to profit by them
some thought, time and money must
be given. 1t is true that the average
doctor is possessed OF sound, dis
Judgment, end besides
are MOST valuable
and can not be dispensed with, still
much of the doctors work is based
On guess or LUCK if he does not give
lis patient the benefit of every pos
'ible aid to diagnosis. 1t is hardly
20 be expected that the busy doctor
can spare the time that is necessary {
% make laboratory tests (and yet
without them he is frequently CROP
ng in the dark Your board of
supervisors, seeing the great impor- {
ance of this matter, have provided [
or the establishment of laboratory {
where an efficient technician is con- {
tantly on hand to help the doctors 6
n these crises land they arise daily !
With every doctor.)
Your county health officer is in '
harge OF this work and is very anx- {
Gus to serve both you and your
loctor. This is your affair. You
laye a right to consideration. Wake
Ip and take a personal interest in
hese vital things. Just two weeks
rom today, Tuesday, the largest =
nd best district medical society in
will meet at Aberdeen.
suppose you ask your doctor il he
3 going to attend. Again ask HIM
| be is availing himself of the help !,
hat is offered him free in your y
ounty laboratory. il
am your county health officer
nd am anxious to serve ynu. but
can not do my best unless you
nd your doctor will cooperate.
Yours for service.
G. s. BRYAN, C.. II. O.