vS'. /. Meltzer i37 



perhaps be in a position to accelerate an early rapprochement and 

 fraternal reconciliation of the members of the medical profession of 

 all the civilized nations. Here again we shall attempt to do our 

 duty as we see it without being too sanguine as to an early and com- 

 plete success. 



HiPPOCRATic GATH. A few of our sympathizing correspondents 

 wished to know whether the aims of the Medical Brotherhood are 

 not already covered by the Hippocratic oath. No ; that oath Covers 

 only the relations of the physician to the individual as his private 

 patient or pupil. As we all know, the influence of this oath leaves 

 plenty of room for the ethical activities of the American Medical As- 

 sociation, the newly created College of Surgeons, etc. The Medical 

 Brotherhood does not intend to deal with any part of this phase of 

 medical affairs ; it has in view exclusively the relations of the physi- 

 cian to his country as a patriot and to other countries as a humani- 

 tarian. 



Patriotism and medical preparedness. We have stated that 

 medical men are in a position to be patriots and humanitarians at the 

 same time. We have so far dealt exclusively with the international 

 side of the Brotherhood. In fact, in the Appeal it was expressly 

 stated " For the Furtherance of International Morality." However, 

 it would not be out of place to add a few remarks regarding patriot- 

 ism and the relations of the physician to it. The present war, while 

 presenting a frightful picture of the Woody struggle between the 

 nations, has revealed, on the other band, a most remarkable ethical 

 side of the relations of the individual to the State in each and every 

 one of the belligerent countries. The readiness of the individual to 

 be helpful to, and sacrifice himself for, the State Stands out as a 

 shining light in the midst of the extreme darkness of the war. But 

 here we wish to speak especially of the relations of our physicians 

 to our country. Preparedness is a subject which at present agitates 

 profoundly the minds of all of our Citizens. It is none of our con- 

 cern here to discuss this subject from the general point of view as 

 Citizens. As physicians, however, there can not be the slightest doubt 

 that it is the duty of every member of the profession, who is in a 

 Position to do so, to offer his assistance to the medical department of 

 the military Organization of our country. We do not know when 



