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.

  • Thomas Duché Mitchell
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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    G ]yse the interesting character, for I tool unequal lo the task. But, at a venture, I will try to decompose it, to determine its elementary princi- ples, and so array them, under the animating inspiration of truth, as to impress every mind with the inherent excellence of the genuine compound. And in the very probable event of failure to do justice to a theme so important, so fertile in weal or woe, on me let the censure rest, and not on the topic which my feeble powers are inadequate to pourtray. On whatever theme in morals, science, politics or religion, the popu- lar sentiment may have truth for its basis, it is almost sure to err in its estimate of the real value and intrinsic nature of the medical character. This mistake has its origin in the almost universal custom of judging persons and things, not according to their intrinsic worth, hut in the ratio of apparent or superficial excellence. There is not an individual before me, who has not witnessed instances, without number, of this kind of ex-parte verdict. Have you not seen the man, whose tongue, the nearest approximation possible to perpetual motion, is never still, acquire a character of consequence for no other consideration on earth, than his redundant, down-hill volubility] And who has not looked with regret on the man of sterling sense, who seldom speaks but as oc- casion demands, whose words are often like apples of gold in pictures of silver, but whose morbid modesty cramps him within the reputation of mediocrity, excepting in the judgment of a few who have learned somewhat of his real character] Thus it is, that the popular regard of the medical character is based, alas how often, on some contingent and not always laudable quality, rather than on the diamond intellect and golden attainments of the individual. It is scarcely needful to tell this audience, that the evil just adver- ted to, like the rampant polypus, is shooting its roots broader and stri- king them deeper, every hour; not only to the vexation and loss of the community in general, but to the sore detriment of young physicians of undoubted worth. Have you never sighed at the wounding of their generous sensibilities, on beholding the most undisciplined ignorance rise to an elevation far more lofty than the castle of its happiest dreams, simply because some superficial gloss that mantled the deformity and destitution within, was mistaken for the precious metal of which it was, at best, an unworthy counterfeit? But this moral malady has a still deeper and broader foundation. The corner stone of the incongruous edifice, is the ignorant and yet self-complacent judgment of parents and guardians, in the disposal of youth entrusted to their care. Survey the face of society, the whole land over, and tell me if I mistake. Has the man of affluence, or even comfortable circumstances, three sons, whose future condition in socie- ty may lawfully claim his deep attention and unceasing solicitude? Does he consult the wisest men in his own circle, to gain their counsel in so important a concern; or is he not, too often, though perhaps un- blest with even a modicum of educational advantages, willing to be the sole arbiter, in a case the most weighty that can fall in bii patbl