Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-05-18
Medical Association Is
Addressed by President
Continued from Page One)

effort, partly by a combination of
these two working in harmony with
the science of chemistry, of engineer
ing, and of applied medicine. In its
main aspects it is preventive, but in
a very large field it is remedial.
Without this service our large centers
of population would be overwhelmed
and diSSipated almost in a day and
the modern organization of society
would be altogether destroyed. The
debt which we owe to the science of
medicine is simply beyond computa-
ton or comprehension.
These benefits have almost all come
to the world within a few genera
tions. Pure science, as we under
stand the term, has very recent
origin. In fact, we do not go back
but a short distance to find the first
modern comprehension of the differ
enCe between sound thought and
visionary speculation. Since that day
we have come to what is known as
the scientific age. Almost all over
the world men are making observa-
stions, collecting accurate information,
comparing ascertained facts, and
working toward established conclu-
Sions. Although great progress has
been made and certain fundamental
rules have become well established,
we can not yet estimate the devel-
optnent Of scientific research as much
more than begun. But great effort
is being put out all around us and
constant advancement of knowledge
is in progress. This has been espec-
tally true in the science of medicine.
Many of the diseases which laid q
heavy toll on life have been entirely
eradicated and many others have
been greatly circumscribed, The av-
erage length of life has been much
increased. But there is still an enor-
NOUS economic loss in sickness, and
the list of maladies for which no
remedy is known is still large. How
far the mind has an effect on the
body is not yet accurately known.
What mental reactions may be set
up to preserve health or combat dis
ease can not yet be stated.
I. If there is any one thing which
the progress of science has taught
us, it is the necessity of an open
mind without this attitude very
little advance could be made. Truth
must always be able to demonstrate
itself. But when it has been demon
strated, in whatsoever direction it
may lead, it ought to be followed.
The remarkable ability of America
to adopt this policy has been one OF
the leading factors in it's rise to pow
er. When a principle has been dem
onstrated the American people have
not hesitated to adopt it and put 1T
intosgpractice Being free from the
urlWarranted impedimentS OF custom
and caste, we have been able TO ac-
cent whole -heartedly the results OF
research and investigation and the
benefits of discovery and invention:
This policy has been the practical
working out of the applied theory OF
efficiency in life. We have opened
our mines and assembled coal and
iron with which we have wrought
wonderful machinery, we have har-
messed our water power, we have Oh
rected invention to agriculture, the
result of which has been to put
more power at the disposal OF the
Individual eliminating waste and IN
creasing production. It has all been
q coordination of effort, which has
raised the whole standard of life.
IN the development of this general
nolicy the science of medicine has
had its part to play. No tendencies
in recent history have been more
outstanding than those toward con-
seryation and cooperation, both IN
public and in private activities. For
wears the value of conservation OF
our material resources, forests, min
eral deposits, water power, animal
life, has been generally recognized.
Movements have been started to cut
down waste and unnecessary de-
struction in business and industrial
operations. We are practicing econ
ornv in our governmental affairs.
But the conservation of human health
and life is one of the greatest achleVe-
fnents in the advance OF civilization,
both. socially and economically.
What an incalculable loss to the
world may have been the premature
blotting out of a single brilliant Gre
atiVe mind which might have been
saved through modern healing or pre-
yetltive measures. Efficiency experts
translate into dollars and cents what
disease and the resulting loss OF man
power mean. Directly, disease costs
heavily. Indirectly, its results are
even more costly. In the days before
medical men robbed them of their
terrors, a single case of yellow fever
or cholera reported in New York
tarbor caused such panic as serious
" to interfere with business. Now
such sporadic cases would scarcely
cause public comment. Industry now
figures what disease and temporary
disability of employees, from the high
est to the lowest, means on the year.
lY balance sheet. It is not uncommon
for q corporation to take out an in
surance policy for its own benefit on
the life of an executive. Thus it at
tenpts to neutralize the monetary
loss it presumably might suffer
through being deprived of his sery-
ices.