THE AMERICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL OF SAINT LOUIS, MO., A Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery and the Allied Sciences. Subscription Price, $2.00 a Year in Advance. EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. E. YOUNKIN, M. D., SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: L. T. BEAM, M. D., Johnstown, Pa. S. S. CARR, M. D,, Buffalo, Mo. A. J. HOWE, M. D., Cincinnati, O. J. A. McKLVEEN, M.D., Chariton, Iowa. J. H. TILDEN, M. D., Wichita, Kas. Original Articles solicited from all sources. Clinical Reports, Surgical Operations and Notes of Interesting Cases specially invited. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the views of Authors, and reserves the right to condense lengthy articles. EDITORIAL. A PLEA FOR THE UNION OF PHYSICIANS. The signs of the times portend the near approach of that epoch in the world's history, when the amalgamation of the different branches of the medical profession must be carefully considered, if not actually realized. We believe that union is desirable, and union is the one thing. needful in the growth and prosperity of the medical profession. Among the eighty-six thousand physicians in this country, but few possess any tangible evidence of any peculiar tenet or article of belief. The truth is that the profession in the aggregate has grown beyond the dogmatisms of ethical systems, and that adhesiveness which once bound them together has been so neutralized that it has lost its properties. I think I express the general sentiment of the profession when I say that a closer relationship among physicians would be a desirable object. The day has passed when any one branch of the profession can hold the keys of medical knowledge, to the exclusion of all others, who are equally as well educated; and the time has come when any standard of education to which one may attain, all may do likewise; and whatever needful demands are made upon the one can be complied with by the other. The age Whether we are willing for a union or not, such a spirit is silently making its way into the hearts and consciences of men. demands it; our country demands, and the people demand it. There is an Omipotent hand at work in it all-that Omnipotence which shapes the destinies of men, even in the midst of opposition. That the tendency of the times is in the direction of a more harmonious feeling and a more united effort, we have only to advert to a few facts. The State Board of Health of Illinois, in speaking of their Medical Practice Act, says: "The passage of this act was the inauguration of a reform of the practice of medicine and medical educacation. The results of the work in this State have caused other States to enact similar laws, in some cases more stringent than that of Illinois. The work of the Board is recognized, not alone in this country, but throughout the civilized world. It was the first time that different schools of medicine were placed upon the same Board - ostracising none, but requiring from all certain fundamental knowledge-the only question asked being whether they could comply with the spirit and intent of the law. The result of this course has been to remove many prejudices; and if the same policy is pursued in the future, the day is not far distant when those engaged in the practice of medicine will simply be known by the title of physicians." Our knowledge of these facts, and our experience teaches that every word of the above is true; and whatever may have been the purposes of some, the Illinois Medical Practice Act has tended to ward a more harmonious fellowship among the different branches of the profession. Moreover, it has not tended to the strengthening of the bands of any special school; but has looked up to a better union, upon the basis of a more uniform and higher education. Such movements as these should alarm no one, except it be those who dwell in leaky boats, and who prefer to die in their dogmatic and autocratic sins. As a result of this work, we quote an extract from the Western Medical Reporter, entitled "A New Society Admitting Members of All Schools: " "ENGLEWOOD, ILL., Aug. 2d.-A meeting was held to-day, in Lanyon's Opera House, of physicians from all schools of medicine here represented, for the purpose of forming a medical society recognizing and admitting such persons as members as possess a certificate to practice medicine from the Illinois State Board of Health. About seventy-five cards of invitation were mailed, according to the official register of physicians, and twenty-five responded to the call in person. It was a novel thing to see representatives of different beliefs meet harmoniously to gather good from each other. Many related humorous experiences arising from different convictions, and all expressed their endorsement of any plan that would spread all knowledge of use to the physician to all members. The subject of establishing a free dispensary in Englewood was also presented and discussed. The framing of a code of rules or principles to control the society was referred to a committee, as well as the consideration of the dispensary project. meeting." Both committees to report at a subsequent We hail such omens as these with no small degree of delight, and believe that much good will be told in the not far distant future. Again, the New York State Medical Society, and the societies in affiliation therewith, have declared their willingness to clasp hands with all physicians whose learning and good repute obviously entitle them to recognition, demanded by the country in this age so famously enlightened."—Med. and Surg. Reporter. We read also, in the address of Dr. I. N. Love, President of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, and member of the American Medical Association, these words: "May we not hope that sooner or later the millenium of the profession will have arrived, when there will be no branches, no sects, no dogmas, but all will be satisfied to train under the banner of the grand old profession, which is broad enough and generous enough to permit its devotees to select any remedy they please, in any dose they please, accord-* ding to any theory they please, and only commands them to serve humanity and work generously for the good of the profession, under no other name than that of physician.” While the sentiment of the above is in the right direction, we are inclined to think that the speaker fails to see the full force of his own language and the position he occupies. "The grand old profession," with him, may signify the present so-called "regular" profession, or perhaps that part of it called the American Medical Association; but then how can he mean these, when they are but sects, branches—a bundle of dogmas, whose devotees do not select any remedy they please, neither are they allowed to use any theory they please. We are glad, however, for these accessions, coming from such a source. Again, the great International Medical Congress has exercised a most wonderfully modifying spirit. At the last moment, prior to its sessions in Washington, when the leading journals were pressed for the answer to "Who will be admitted as members?" the sentiment was sounded abroad: "The International Medical Congress is open to all graduates of medicine." We were gratified in hearing so full and free an answer to the question. We are also glad to note, from the address of President N. S. Davis, in the opening ceremonies of the Congress, the following sentiment: Addressing himself first to the foreign members: "In the name of the medical profession of this country, I welcome you to the open arms and warm hearts of the medical men of this whole country, in whose name you were invited here three years since." Addressing the Congress as a body, he said: "I take great pleasure in greeting you, one and all, as leading representatives of a profession whose paramount object is the lessening of human suffering, by preventing, alleviating or curing disease, wherever found, and in whatever class or grade of the human family. Nay, more, with profound reverence, I greet you as a noble brotherhood, who, in the practical pursuit of that one grand object, recognize no distinc tion of country, race or creed." Now, were these facts to be realized? In a letter from one of our "special contributors," Dr. G. E. Potter, of Johnstown, Pa., dated September 5th, from Washington, we have this statement: "I got through with my registration, and had no difficulty. Drs. Wilder, Band, Gemmel, Tuttle, Durham, Munn, and several others I have not seen, are here," etc. In another letter of Dr. Potter, to the Johnstown Tribune, we have the following: SIR: The Tribune, to my surprise, contains a singular correspondence in regard to my membership of the International Medical Congress. Some two years ago, Professor Grant, President of the Congress at its eighth session, declared all persons who were legally physicians in their own country eligible to membership. Homeopathists, he said, had participated, and there was no objection, thus showing that the Congress was held in the interest of medical science, and not to support low, back-woods, narrow-minded, small-souled partisanship. I therefore sent my registration fee to Washington about two weeks before the meeting, along with a full and proper statement. I may add that the opening addresses of Secretary Bayard and President Davis set forth the object of the Congress, and in relation to membership made use of the most catholic terms of which the English language is susceptible, and that part of the address was applauded most enthusiastically by the vast audience. During the entire week, I had the most pleasant relations with members of the Congress, and we compared views with the greatest freedom and cordiality. We attended sections in company, and visited objects of interest in and around Washington together. I hope to meet with the tenth International Medical Congress, which will meet at the city of Berlin, Germany, in 1890. Johnstown, Pa., Sept. 10, 1887." G. E. POTTER, M. D. We regard such sentiments as these the most favorable omens of the times. Our Homeopathic brethren are by no means united on the plea which distinguishes their school from all others. The law of similia may be claimed by some as being a universal law, but many of them do not so regard it. |