What to observe in medicine, or the means of improving it, as a science and an art : with the duties of the medical profession to their patients, the public, and themselves : an introductory address to the Harveian Medical Society, delivered at the commencement of its twenty-second session, October 7, 1852 / by James Bird.

  • James Bird
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: What to observe in medicine, or the means of improving it, as a science and an art : with the duties of the medical profession to their patients, the public, and themselves : an introductory address to the Harveian Medical Society, delivered at the commencement of its twenty-second session, October 7, 1852 / by James Bird. 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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    respect of tlie good, and the affectionate regard of all to whom their services prove a blessing. While other professions establish the dominion of intellect over the material world, by subjugating the powers of nature to the benefit and use of the com- munity, or put in force comprehensive enactments, whether of politics or commerce, for improving the condition and increasing the comforts of mankind, it is the privilege of the medical profession to share, with religion, a like beneficence of object—relief of human suffering in man’s hour of trial and affliction. It is no less an object of philanthropy, and obedience to our divine Master’s precepts, to alleviate physical, than to remove moral evil. To recall to freedom and reason the ruined maniac, to restore life and vigour to the body’s dying and weakened functions; to find pleasure in our vocation of removing disease and assuaging pain, and to prepare ourselves for the truly useful exercise of the physician’s or the surgeon’s art, in its most comprehensive effect and utility, entail on us an amount of Christian responsibility, which can only be adequately discharged by devoted pro- fessional love incompatible with selfishness. A sense of professional obligations to our patients, the public, and our colleagues, should have its origin in high and ennobling motives; and on these heads, respec- tively, our duty must be measured by the ratio of what we know and do, for perfecting scientific prac- tical medicine, for advancing public hygiene, and the ])ractice of medical ethics. However laborious our studies, then, or painful the acquisition of knowledge for restoring health or re- lieving the sufferings of humanity, all Avill be donti