A sketch of the medical monopolies, with a plan of reform. Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord John Russell / [James Kennedy].

  • Kennedy, James, 1803-1868
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A sketch of the medical monopolies, with a plan of reform. Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord John Russell / [James Kennedy]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD JOHN RUSSELL. My Lord, The subject of Medical Reform is both difficult and important. It is assuredly no easy matter to accomplish such a change in the laws and usages by which the Medical Pro¬ fession is regulated as may secure the approval of the majority of its members and promote the public welfare. But how¬ ever parties may disagree as to the nature and extent of the contemplated alteration, all concur in the admission that a change has become necessary. Since the question is so far matured, it may be permitted to any person whose expe¬ rience has enabled him to form an estimate of its merits, to endeavour to ascertain the principles on which a plan of Medical Reform intended to benefit, the community and maintain the dignity of science should be founded. In these stormy times of politics, it might well be a theme of gratulation to a writer on Medical Reform that the ground on which he enters is neutral—that the atmosphere which surrounds him is calm—or agitated only by the impulses of sympathies common to all. It is indeed happily the fact that there is no connexion between political controversy and the adjustment of our Medical institutions—nevertheless, it were too much to infer that the agitation of a question directly affecting several influential interests would be unaccompanied by the irritation which generally follows the collision of hostile opinions. Science does not exalt its votaries above the weaknesses of humanity, nor does the grave and reflective pursuit of medicine liberate its followers from the influence of prejudice and passion. It may be said, without fear of ex- aggeration, that few discussions have ever taken place upon B
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