Remarks of S.H. Tewksbury, M.D. on the bill for the promotion of medical science : also, an appeal to the members of the legislature in behalf of the Maine Medical Association, in the Senate chamber, Feb. 27, 1855.

  • Tewksbury, S. H. (Samuel Henry), 1819-1880.
Date:
1855
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks of S.H. Tewksbury, M.D. on the bill for the promotion of medical science : also, an appeal to the members of the legislature in behalf of the Maine Medical Association, in the Senate chamber, Feb. 27, 1855. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    great and almost sole object, is the performance of these dangerous and deadly experiments on themselves ! And you refuse the dead body even of the vilest vagabond on earth for the use and instruction of these benefactors of ourrace. I need not enumerate instances of courageous charity and benevolence, that the physician habitually and cheer- fully encounters, regardless of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon-day, for they are so common, — so much a matter of course,— that to perform them is not regarded as praiseworthy. To refuse them alone excites attention,— then to incur censure. I cannot conclude these remarks without a commemorative notice of one among the gallant dead, that has fallen a victim to these appalling dangers,—one who but recently laid down his life while contending against the cholera epidemic, that prevailed somewhat fatally in the town of Lewiston during the past season, and who within the last twelve months held an honorable position as member of the Legislature. His memory is so vivid in your recollection, I presume you need not be reminded that the one to whom I allude is the lamented Dr. Millett. Almost up to the very day in which he was struck down, worn out by toil and its more exhausting cares in the capacity of physician and nurse, — the cholera-smitten cried aloud to him for help, and their cries never reached his ears in vain. One impulse only inspired him in his visits and offices of charity to these poor and destitute sufferers,— that was the mission of love. But his lot is now cast where his christian chari ties and benevolence will grow and flourish, and he can invoke God's best blessings on those hearts that are now withered, and weeping in remembrance of him. It was by him in the capacity of President of our Association that I was assigned the position I now hold, — to present this subject to you that is now under consideration,— and no greater offering of respect can you contribute to his memory than the passage of this bill now before you, as you will thereby aid in the support and advancement of his most Vvorite science.