Drexel University College of Medicine - Medic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 11 text:

The third and largest concentricity about us differs from the two within it. lt is the vast, interwoven complex of non-medical society-political. economic, military and even religious. This circle' differs from Hahnemann and from medicine, first. in that any defects on our part cannot encompass its destruc- tion, and second, in the startling depth to which its myriad arms reach into our everyday lives and mold us. ' Hahnemann guided us for four years, and its influence will follow for our lives' span: medicine will guide us, and we will cast a return influence on medicine: but the social structure of our time will harry us and charm us by turn. in our professional and our non-professional relations-to our lives' end. We retain our professional integrity by virtue of two factors. One is our cohesiveness, doctor to doctor, system to system, the binding power being implemented through the ethics of medicine. The other factor is the benignity, and the protection shown to us by the democratic government under which we function. Dissolution of either factor could conceivably bring about the down- iall of medicine as we know it. Destruction of the first factor would be self wrought, and therefore improb- able: no profession, no group of rational beings, is collectively suicidal. Now we can say that the second factor, that of our functioning under a sympathetic social scheme, is also indestructible. And in saying this, we delude ourselves. Not that the American nation will fall to foreign powers, or that it will be overthrown by internal forces. Merely that if we do not meet our obligation. first to medicine and then to society, we may find government less favorable to us and social pressure of great intensity upon us. And this could destroy the gorgeous architecture of medicine which has taken so many centuries to build: suddenly, or more probably slowly, destroy it! Let us examine then, the means of defeating this possibility, of strengthen- ing our profession both internally and externally. fFor, although internal weak- ness could notudestroy us of itself, it would invite catastrophe from without.l First, as individuals, the absolute observance of our professional ethics' is incumbent upon us, so that we may remain personally unirnpeachable in the eyes of ourselves and of the layman. Second, again as individuals, we must make' the most forceful entry possible into our democratic life-as private citizens perhaps, but with the potency of educated and respected men. Here it should be our bounden duty to maintain that form of government under which we function-as doctors-most freely. Third. we must form a closer unity among ourselves, even to the point of considerable sacrifice, so that we may work better to the advancement of medical science and for the healing of the many: also, that we may resist moregeffectively any attempts at unwanted control which may be foisted upon us one day. Then we will have assured the next hundred years for medicine: and if for medicine, then also in some degree, for humanity.

Page 10 text:

.xv :k, ,,r.e...-Aft-H-H--.-1 r 1 - U N ll 11 12 ll I L Y: ..-,tly,,,,i7Ljrq,,,.. , .. .. I I , 1. , 43,1 n graduating' cla cannot claim 11 50 years after this 00' after Our consolation, we demand significant numbe t , ,Q . tenary and be- generally understo they sound throw algreat deal of as words . ' 140 Yam i ve . K ai tl i n' d remain tothe second. oi people round. sig- meaning from Qur to 118 that hundred classes: and as' U 'md C8 PNG' nostications may l1lSt0l'Y. we had arrived at a significant number a number intensely preq- nant. To cast our glance down the long years-sounds like Tennyson. and would probably strain the eyes. No. we won't predict. because we feel that in a world of atom-bombs. minorities. tidal waves. and above all. people, predict- ability doesn't exist. And so. anything we have to say about the future will consist half of hope. half of fear-and the rest will be certain. We will be doctors soon, and as such will find ourselves involved in three concentricities. each having its particular bearing upon us. The innermost is our school. Hahnemann. and this closest circle is within our power to strengthen or to weaken. 'willingly or fortuitously. Hahnernann has nurtured us for four years. but ours is a whole lifetime to repay that nurture. Whether we act through brilliant medical advance. through actual 'donations of N time l and money. or through exemplary living as ordinary graduate -physicians. we strengthen. Deviations from this pattern will have opposite effect. The second and somewhat larger circle which will surround us as doctors is the medical profession itself. Here again we are faced with the responsi- bility of strengthening or weakening. this time. medicine. in the tace ,of a skep- tical society. We must prove ourselves, individually and as a group, prove ourselves worthy of the vital trust which the sick put in us. Aqain. our course may be arrow-straight or devious. but the goal must be the same if we are to maintain medicine at its present leveL Deviations here will also have oppo- site effect. X

Page 12 text:

5 .V Q iw ' DEIJIII TIIJ , M Ci' ' l Q Q We humbly dedicate this book to Dr. William L. Martin, our Professor of Surgery-skilled surgeon, true scholar, and gentleman. He will long be remembered for his untiring efforts in the desire to fit the student with an up-to-the-minute general knowledge of the principles of Surgery, as applied to the problems which the family doctor meets every day'in his practice. Instruction played only a part in this man's presentations, whether they took place in the lecture room, clinic or ward, or through close personal rela- tionship. He continually fostered intelligent thought processes in the usually harried medical student, and in return demanded a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of general surgery. This trend was likewise evi- dent in the Department of Surgery of the Hospital where Dr. Martin insisted on the highest of standards and where he constantly urged each member of the Staff to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. An inveterate golfer though not an expert thandicap-27!l, a patriot serving his country in two World Wars in the United States Navy tattaining the rank of Commander? and an active society enthusiast-are only a few of the outside activities that add to his personality. Among his social affiliations are the Philadelphia Country'Club, Union League, Racquet Club, Seaview Country Club and the Navy Athletic Association. And, certainly, no Written portrait of Dr. Martin would be complete without mention of his favorite delight, namely, to drive in the Parkway in his Town and Country with the top down! So, in publishing this formal recapitulation of our years of training at Hahne- mann, we are pleased and fortunate in having this opportunity to express our humble appreciation to Dr. William L. Martin whose presence was magnetic, whose poise was superb and whose disposition could surmount the most irri- tating situations. The Class of 1948 extends its heartfelt thanks to a -truly fine man. WILLIAM L. MARTIN, M.D.. F.A.C.S.. F.I.C.S., Diplomats of the American Board of Surgery.