The medical profession and simplified spelling / by Burt G. Wilder.

  • Burt Green Wilder
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The medical profession and simplified spelling / by Burt G. Wilder. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    1 selves etymologists, and who could not, off hand, give the origin and transformations of any given ten consecutive words. But even were it otherwise, I hold, that etymology and verbal history belong to special treatises and the. larger dictionaries, and that words, the tools of thought, should not be encumbered by etymologic super- fluities. How many givers of alms are aware that the word is the scanty remnant of a Greek word, eleernosync ? Simplification of English spelling will avert waste in the present and for ourselves, and in still greater degree facilitate the educational progress of aliens and of all coming generations. In this busy age no one has less time to waste than the medical practitioner. With no other class is altruism more nearly the domi- nating guide of life. . This remark, and previous ones as to the relations of the medical profession to Simplified Spelling, apply equally to all English-speaking members. But it seems to me that the physicians of this country should be peculiarly mindful of the situation and of their opportuni- ties and obligations. As American doctors they should be acquainted with and proud of the pioneer work in this direction by Dr. George M. Gould, the editor of American Medicine and of standard medical dictionaries; since 1893 he has repeatedly and most forcibly ex- pressed his convictions, especially in his “Suggestions to Medical Writers,” 1900. As American scholars we should congratulate our- selves upon the existence of the Simplified Spelling^ Board, obtain its circulars (gratis) and study its recommendations.7 As American citizens we should support the President of the United States in his efforts to promote this great educational improvement. His coura- geous action has lifted the whole matter from the serene depths of academic contemplation to the turbulent surface waters of general and vigorous discussion; now, to quote the words of President Roose- velt’s sole living predecessor, “it is a condition which confronts us not a theory.” ^To me, the President’s attitude seems worthy to rank with his advocacy of the “strenuous life,” with his declaration in favor of the “square deal,” and with his achievement of peace be- tween Russia and Japan. 7 So vital a matter as the improvement of the medium of human intercom- munication should be dealt with deliberately by commissions of scholars, and noUeftTchaU or the preference of the iU-informedI mutatode• Ajranwtet incapable, blundering and dangerous is General Usage. Simplified Spelling Board 1 Madison Avenue, New York February 28, 1907
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