Year: 1868

4 viii CoAuHe ny ItudIho 10 q Ac" COu-
siderations suggested under the last head
Want of union and harmony among Scien-
tifc Physicians. know of no two words
that sall more heavily and painfully upon my
ear than those so frequently in the mouths
of the multitude, aud so eagerly caught up
and re-echoed by the press, doctors disa-
gree The saying has become a proverb
who shall decide when doctors disa-
gree" 1 answer, the public decide, and
they alVayS decide adversely TO the inter-
est of our noble science 1 would not be
understood to say that physicians must al
ways agree on all points of medical doc
tripe and practice, or even, perhaps, of
medical economy and ethics, except, in
deed, in so far as the latter are founded Oh
that universally binding precept of our
Savior: CAL things whatsoever ye woald
that men should do unto you, do sc even
so unto them !" Were this absolute union
of ofsepGment and feeling in all things pos
sible, it would scarcely be desirable, since
we would then have to bid adieu to all
hopes of progress in the development of
our science. Butt would have the mem
bers Of our profession call their philosophy
and more. their christianity to their aid in
/ advancing the common interest of medical


science, while they ''agree to disagree on
all minor points, Exterior harmony is
in entire accordance with the unshackled
main tainance of individuality" 1 believe
it to be fact worthy Of especial notice


that the disagreements Which so often dis
grace our profession, are not usually found
ed on real differences in medical doctrine


or practice, but rather have their origin in
those petty outbursts of animal feeling and


passion, which hold the lowest grade in
our fallen and sinful natures. Witness the
chickering's and quarrels which are SO fire.
quent between members Of our profession.


Witness, too, our Courts of Law, where


in suits brought against Surgeons for NAL


practice, which in nine cases out of ten,


have their origin in cupidity aud spite
profes, ional men are found who, with a


view of advancing their own interests at


the expense of a successful aud rival prae


titioner. are base enough to give questions


be evidence againsL him, which in the


minds Of most juries will outweigh any ar


ray of knowledge aud talent which may be


brought forward by The defendant These


petty rivaries and jeslousIes are as -ipju-


rious to our own private interests as they


are to the general interests Of medicine. as


might be easily yProyed and they areas un5e-



coming the dignity, the philosophy, aud the


liberality of our profession as they are Of


ten puerile in the extreme. Why, gentle


men, the world is large enough for us all.


1t is as if TWO well fed hounds should quar-


rel, not over bone insufficient to Afford
each mouthful or nourishment, bat over


Fat OK capable Of satisfying the cravings


of dozen famishing ours,


Yet willie I thus speak of what does ex-
ist within the pale Of our profession, am
happy TO say that L know no member OF
this Society to whom these animadversious


are applicable.


, l feel that nothing is now more wantiDg g
TO inspire the minds of the community with
q conf dence in us as medical men, and
, through US in the science OF medicine itsel


than an evident union of feeling com
munity Of interest that would not brook al


evil report raised against a brother pracG


toner, and that would lead US to defen,


the interest Of the science Of medicine, a
= represented in him, as earnestly and warm
ly as we would have him to do were tin
q foul tongue of slander seeking to ingratilt
I'll,


1t is because I regard these things a
! unmitigated evils because 1 earnestly de
a plore them, and because L think that every
Il influence should be brought to bear tha
n may tend to draw more closely the cord
e that bind US together as men and practi


TONERS Of medicine, the noblest of all pro
# fessions, but meanest Of all trades, that
d venture to bring forward for your conside
= ration the following plans. Should the!
n at first view seem ethiopian and impTacti
= cable, trust you will not judge and con
n demn them too hastily. They are the out
Y bursts of the ardent temperament OF on
o who hopes and believes that he is sincere
"a " desirous of advancing the best interest
y Of his chosen profession.


n The policy which 1 advocate is founde
a upon the principles Of association. It wi
e soon be a general rule in this country, a
il in all other enlightened communities, a
II well in the eyes of the discriminating pub
e lie, as in our own, that he and he Ooly IS tb
" respectable physician who not only &C
y knowledges fealty to some form Of Profess
Il ional association, but who takes an activ


interest in the proceedings of such Organi


cations. 1 have reason 10 know that Plai
i. f.rrnora r-ives read with interest the mea