The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-08-25

profession that has done as much or
more for mankind as the ministers
of the gospel. I take it for granted
that there are skeletons in the clos
cts of many doctors. There is, and
can be, no justification, for example,
OF some of the high fees charged in
cases where people without worldly
goods are concerned. Their lives are
as valuable as the lives of the rich
est multimillionaires There can be
no defense, as further proposition,
for laxness and disinterest which
are matters of record. But I main
tain and shall always believe that
there are comparatively few mem
bers of the medical profession who
fail to give the best that is in them.
And when I mention disinterest, /
cannot help wondering whether doc
tors hired by group health associa-
tons are going to be much concerned
about hurrying to the bedside of an
association member after a few
years of such practice. The month
ly check is going to come in whether
the corporation doctor is sympathet-
&c and skillful or apathetic.
But let us get on to another phase;
two of them, in fact.
According to the best legal opin-
ion that is available outside of the
lav -
Other tice, it seems like
Phases ly, that no court
will hold the medi-
cal society to be a trust" The or
ganization of doctors is effected for
the purpose of maintaining high
to keep racketeers out of
the profession. It's members must
be of good character; they must ad-
here to rules that are designed for
the protection of the layman who OBJ
viously is at the mercy of the man
trained in the science of medicine
and surgery. The whole purpose
seems to be the very simple PROPOSE
ton of self-discipline. Il might say
just here that New Dealers all
along have called for self-disci-
pine among business and profess
sional men, The medical men want
to destroy the type that feeds upon
the hopeless individuals desire to
regain health, to live; they want to
rid society of the abortionist, the
quacks and the men and women who
traffic in blood. And the question !
PROFOUND, therefore, is: can such
profession be catalogued in law or
in morals as dealers in commodi-
ties like steel or oil or calico? If it
can be so held under our laws, then
there surely is no point in young
men and women Shaving through six
or seven or eight years of training
for the profession. They had bet
ter 60 out and start practicing med
icine as the unskilled laborer digs
bitches.
In this connection, too, it seems
proper to mention an implication of
a decision holding the medical socie-
ties to be trusts. AS set down above,
is based on character
and training. If the medical society
is a trust, what are all of your fra
ternal organizations, your civic So
cieties, your clubs, who elect or fail
to elect members because of good
character or lack of it? The Masonic
order, the Odd Fellows, Woodmen of
the World? And, what of Knights of
Columbus? That great organization
for good also could be broken down
if a crook, for selfish reasons, would
want membership.
And now to the politics of the sit
uation. 1t appears to me to be a
great tactical blunder on the part
of the so-called board of strategy
which has President Roosevelt's
ear. Those men, most of them I'M
trained in political campaigning,
have failed to recognize the human
element that is involved. They have
listened to the generalities of those
who have their own nests to feather
and have so far forgotten common
sense in politics as to propose
move that can be Offset by direct,
personal contact.
Let us think of the picture here
presented in a hypothetical case.
Suppose you are great supporter
of President Roosevelt, believe him
to be sincere in his announced in
terest in the masses, praise his cour-
age and his forward-looking pro-
gram for government. Along comes
old man sickness and lays you down
fiat on your back. Your doctor
comes. You know him, have conf
dence in him, or you would not call
him.
Then, after the manner that usu-
ally happens, the doctor talks about
a number of things with you. OF
course, you know something about
the government attacks on the doc
tors and you want to hear the story
from the other angle. I would, and
so would you. What is all of this
about, Doctor? Is there such thing
as medical trust?
Well, unless I miss my guess, I'm
less my understanding of human re-
lations is as wet as swamp log
you are going to feel that the whole
proceeding is quite unfair and pos
sibly you will condemn the man
who wants it done" That thing will
go on in thousands upon thousands
of households and hospitals, because
the smart alexis who started Mr..
Roosevelt in that direction put him
on the spot.