May 18, 1900.] 



SCmNGE. 



113 



pathy, but larger opportunities for the ex- 

 ercise of their usefulness. 



As a natural result of this approximation, 

 appreciation grows, barriers of prejudice are 

 broken down, the conventionalities of self in 

 which pessimism is nurtured disappear, and 

 men of different walks of life come to under- 

 stand each other better, in the light of a 

 common purpose to helpful ends. 



The sociological status of the physician, 

 therefore, at the present time, may be said 

 to be his standing in regard to an extensive 

 movement in behalf of the studj' of hximan 

 relationships with a view to a truer compre- 

 hension of their normal bases and to the 

 betterment of their existing conditions. 



Before proceeding to a consideration of 

 the effectiveness of the doctor of medicine as 

 a part of the social organization exhibited 

 through the medium of the institutions with 

 which he is particularly related, and of the 

 other duties of which he is capable and 

 which lie before him, it will be well to con- 

 sider briefly the character of his professional 

 training and its reactionary effect upon 

 himself as a man and a citizen. 



Of all special educations that of the sci- 

 ence and practice of medicine, when it is of 

 the best quality, is the most exacting and 

 makes the largest demand upon the staying 

 power of the student ; it is longer in dura- 

 tion, more confining, and requires more in- 

 tense application than the corresponding 

 courses which lead to a degree either in law 

 or divinity, and affords a larger suggestive 

 opportunity for collateral scientific read- 

 ing. 



It implies, in its beginning, the combat- 

 ing of natural repugnancies, and, in its con- 

 tinuance, a ceaseless struggle against the 

 mentally depi'essing influence of daily con- 

 tact with disease and dissolution, it chal- 

 lenges lofty sentiments and lays bare the 

 framework of cherished emotions ; on the 

 other hand, it demonstrates truth and gives 

 the foundation for a faith which, though 



usually silent and often circumscribed, 

 nourishes the optimism necessary to this 

 vocation, and helps the doctor to regard the 

 affairs of life in the light of their importance, 

 not to himself, but to the individual whom 

 for the time being they most concern. 



That the ' outward profession of faith' is 

 not usual in the medical profession is due 

 not to the lack of this quality, but rather to 

 the reluctance to make public expression on 

 the part of men whose life is, in its practical 

 exhibition, largely confidential, and who, 

 moreover, have especial opportunity to give 

 utterance to the spirit within them in 

 human contact work. 



To the claim that medical education fur- 

 nishes the material for a deep and lasting 

 faith in a creating and sustaining power 

 may be added the claim that it tends to 

 beget that sense of reverence of which Ben- 

 jamin Kidd says " that it is a prepondera- 

 ting element in the type of character which 

 the evolutionary forces at work in human 

 society are slowly developing, and with 

 which are tending to be closely allied the 

 qualities of great mental energy, revolution- 

 ary enterpi'ise, powers of prolonged and 

 concentrated application and a sense of 

 simple-minded and single-minded devotion 

 to conceptions of duty." 



That attributes such as these may be nur- 

 tured in the stern curriculum of a medical 

 education and fostered under the exacting 

 conditions of a career which is both a prac- 

 tical application and the continuance of 

 that education, we know ; but it is also well 

 for us to know, daily, that the possession 

 of a most intimate knowledge of human life 

 and its relationships implies an enormous 

 moral responsibility. 



In addition to the justly economic pur- 

 pose of following a reputable vocation likely 

 to ensure a livelihood, the principal incen- 

 tive to the study of medicine is a purpose of 

 usefulness, or a basal sense of a desire to 

 express in some way the appreciation of an 



