The good physician : being an introductory to the course of lectures on materia medica and therapeutics in the Medical Department of Transylvania University, for the session of 1842-3 / by Thos. D. Mitchell.

  • Mitchell, Thomas D. (Thomas Duché), 1791-1865.
Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The good physician : being an introductory to the course of lectures on materia medica and therapeutics in the Medical Department of Transylvania University, for the session of 1842-3 / by Thos. D. Mitchell. 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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    any wise reference to mental capacity, or native fitness, one of the trio is doomed to the bar; another finds his way, tortuous though it be, to the pulpit; and tbe third (for they must all be professional men) is to be inflicted on the public as a doctor. Thus it happens, in instances almost innumerable, that professional disgrace is the unavoidable consequence of ill-directed parental authority. I will not affirm that in every lottery thus evolved, there is not a single prize; but I appeal to facts, as they are spread out over our country, in attestation of the ground here as- sumed. The well-known practice of the ancient Mexicans, to ascertain the peculiar mechanical fitness of their children, was little less judicious than that to which 1 have referred, as common with those who lay higher claims to civilization and refinement. The sons of these semi-bar- barians, previously intoxicated by ardent spirit, were surrounded by the various tools and utensils of the mechanic arts; and the apparent fond- ness for this or that tool, fixed the destiny of the individual for life. I am free to confess, that in view of the results merely, and aside from the immorality of intoxication, I cannot perceive wherein our more modern and civilized plan has any sort of advantage over the inebria- ting tactics of the Mexican. The character of the man in sealed, in both cases, by the verdict of unmeaning chance, passed in his boyhood, and alike irreversible. Can it excite ssrprise, that false principles, thus applied, or the act- ings out of mere whim without principle, should be so prolific of disas- trous results to the profession and to society! Cause and effect must forever be dissevered, as bearing no relation to each other, if you can account for a very large swarm of the tremendous hive of purely nom- inal physicians that prey upon the vitals of society, every where, on any other principle. It would be the most astounding phenomenon that ever occurred, if the actual results were different. And do any inquire how medical men, grafted on principles so false and pernicious, occa- sionally rise in popular estimation, above some who possess all the elements of professional excellence? Alas! gentlemen, the solution of the problem is by no means difficult. The most palpable destitutions are often compensated by a fascinating exterior, and the social qualities are taxed most heavily, to present a substitute for professional learning and skill. And here, let it not be supposed that I depreciate the value of an affable deportment, of gentleness, suavity and modest carriage— in short, of any quality that should endear a physician to his patients. All these are good in themselves; and without them in smaller or lar- ger measure, few men ever rise to true eminence and lasting respecta- bility. But the error lies in mistaking these for the medical character itself, instead of recognizing them as mere appendages to it. We cite, as another reason for the frequent success of ignorant prac- titioners, the prevalent mistake of regarding the science of medicine as, of all kinds of knowledge, the most easy of attainment. Ilcncc doubtless, it happens that so many persons enjoy extensive patronage,