vS. /. Meltzer 133 



authority, the practically wise man; (3) that one should not work 

 for the demonstration of the correctness of the new assumption, or 

 for the reaHzation of the new aim, in the manner of the practical 

 man, that is, by violent activities and in the expectation of attaining 

 completely the desired end in a month or a year (perhaps to lose it 

 again in a shorter time), but, on the contrary, must work patiently, 

 trying to attain the end, or even only small parts of it, by Steps 

 which may appear to be very small but which offer the greatest 

 Chance for permanency; (4) that one should not be discouraged by 

 some failures; and finally, (5) that one should care more for prog- 

 ress in the right direction, than for attainment of the goal. 



Now, the development of our Organization was started on the 

 basis of the f ollowing indisputable f acts : The ethical relations be- 

 tween separate nations are far behind the State of morals govern- 

 ing the relations of individuals of the same nation. International 

 morality progresses at best in waves, positive and negative, mak- 

 ing perhaps three Steps forward and two and sometimes four or 

 five Steps backward. However, during the normal State of the 

 world's affairs, ethical men of all countries are ready to be guided 

 by the two great moral principles : patriotism and humanity. The 

 present world-wide catastrophe has demonstrated, however, that 

 even the most idealistic Citizen is incapable, and, in fact, is not in a 

 Position to serve both ethical principles at the same time, while his 

 country, right or wrong, is at war with another country. Physicians, 

 however, are in an exceptional position ; they are permitted and even 

 required to observe both ethical demands even during war. In war 

 the physician's Services to his country are as necessary, as great, as 

 that of the warrior, but he is in the fortunate position to be able to 

 treat his compatriot and his country's foe alike. That Standard of 

 morality is upheld not only by the medical profession itself, but is 

 practically demanded by the regulations agreed upon by the various 

 international Conventions, regulations which have been rarely broken 

 even in the present most brutal war. Even in the present State of 

 frightful confusion of judgment, practically no sane individual exists 

 who would not consider this Standard of morality desirable to obtain 

 in all domains of human endeavor — if it were attainable. These are 

 safe facts. Now the Medical Brotherhood was organized primarily 



