THE CALL OF THE LAND 



have that effect. We feel sure that the dis- 

 semination of light on the topics just spoken 

 of would not detract from physicians' 

 profits, but greatly enhance them. It would 

 lead the despairing to seek treatment, and 

 quacks' customers would repair to respon- 

 sible practitioners. 



Lastly, physicians may greatly serve man- 

 kind by guiding ethical thinkers in or 

 toward the solution of certain capital moral 

 problems now waiting to be settled. 



The grim manner of many a good sur- 

 geon is a text to be dwelt upon. "Happi- 

 ness is but a dream and nothing is real but 

 pain," said Voltaire, and Schopenhauer 

 echoes the sentiment. We may believe the 

 first member of this epigram or not, but 

 that pain is real is a statement admitting 

 no doubt in the minds of those who suffer. 

 Hosts of men suffer needlessly. There is a 

 calculus of woe, wherein medical men are 

 masters and could most usefully instruct 

 humanity. The problem for medicine and 

 surgery is how to lessen net pain, how to 

 enlarge the total net happiness. The sur- 



364 



