I9I5] 



6^. /. Meltzer 289 



But there is one most inspiring exception to this sorrowful rule. 

 It is the utilization of the medical sciences and the behavior of med- 

 ical men in the war. The results of medical investigations of the 

 last few decades and the activities of medical men are of immense 

 practical importance to modern warfare. In some of the former 

 wars perhaps as many soldiers were wiped out in consequence of 

 disease as were killed by the bullet or bavonet. The combined 

 modern studies in pathology, bacteriology, hygiene, surgery, medi- 

 cine, pharmacology, preparation of antiseptics, etc., have immensely 

 reduced the ra vages of war as far as sickness and injuries are con- 

 cerned. Medical sciences and medical men are part and parcel of 

 wars. But what is their ethical Status with reference to strife of 

 nations in comparison with other sciences, with other men of sci- 

 ence, men of culture and education ? Here is the answer. 



None of the numerous important discoveries made in the med- 

 ical sciences was ever used for the destruction of life or harming 

 the enemy in modern civilised warfare. 



Any discovery or invention made in the sciences or the practise 

 of medicine, made in one of the warring countries, is freely given to 

 the mf^dical fraternity of a belligerent country — unless it involves 

 a business relation over which medical men have no power. It i<5 

 illuminating to read a review in an English medical Journal of med- 

 ical reports made at a German medical meeting held on a battlefield. 



On the battlef.eld, on ihe firing line, perhaps in the midst of a 

 hail of bullets and fragments of shrapnel, physicians and surgeons, 

 some of thcm volunteers, pick up wounded soldiers without regard 

 to nationality, and treai friend and foe alike. It is practically of no 

 moment to the sick and wounded soldier to which of the hospitals 

 of the civilised belligerent nations he will he taken for treatment. 

 The physician, as a ptiysician, knows no difference between races 

 and nations, between friend and foe. 



And withal physicians in every one of the warring countries are 

 as good patriots, and are as ready to sacrifice their lives in their 

 country's struggle, as any other patriotic Citizen of his beloved 

 country, with the only difference that he, the physician, is merely 

 ready to die, or to he crippled for life, in the service for his country, 



