MEDICINE AND MORALS 



The query, "Who is my neighbor?" 

 sealed for immortality the Good Samaritan, 

 befriending a stricken fellowman, bathing 

 his temples, binding up his wounds, turn- 

 ing from his own business to carry the vic- 

 tim to shelter, ministering to him there and 

 providing for his welfare afterwards till 

 health and strength should return. Who is 

 the Samaritan on the modern Jericho road, 

 this epoch of all-killing greed? Who now 

 distinguishes himself by sharing time and 

 goods with his neighbor in distress? 



Happily our modern day sees many 

 Samaritans, but none among them more 

 richly deserves the name than the medical 

 man. Our observation is to the effect that 

 in costly and telling philanthropy, the risk- 

 ing of life and health for others, unpaid 

 service for the poor, patience with the 

 petulant, sympathy with the bereaved, the 

 profession of medicine leads all others. In 

 fact, best success in the calling presupposes 

 a constant, taxing efflux of altruistic energy. 

 Every modern practitioner recognizes that 

 a kindly selfhood on his part helps patients 



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