University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Raleigh Russell Huggins Dean of the School of Medicine The Time For Courage WITH the advent of man came the spirit of medicine. Nurtured through early Kgyptian days it came into a more dignified existence when Hippocrates gave to it certain prescribed rules that have never been improved upon. A code of ethics and standards have made a profession, which, with all its shortcomings and failures, is the most outstanding ami most altruistic of all professions dealing with the physical handicaps of man and his social environment. This ascent has been made through long painful effort, and. so far as can be determined, the advancement of the physician has kept pace with civilization. Then came so-called | eriod of capitalism and with it the growth in engineering which has amazed the world, but with its solution of mechanical problems this profession has temporarily brought starvation to the homes of millions. In vain do we look to these so-called leaders for help in an emergency the like of which the world has never seen. We are now in the midst of much commotion in respect to the relationship of the physician to the community. Much of the criticism and many of the remedies are suggested by people who have never been familiar with the real problems of sickness. There has been an insidious and determined effort on the part of other groups, many of whom have failed in their own line of endeavor, to put the medical profession off the “gold standard”. This effort had its origin in so-called health insurance” about fifty years ago. We should Ik- thankful that in America there is a medical profession keenly appreciative of what it has 22 •

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R S I T y O F PITTSBURG The Oath of Hippocrates I SWEAR by Apollo, the physician, by Aesculapius, by Hygeia, Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment. I will keep this oath and stipulation: to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me with my parents; to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities, it required; to look upon his offspring on the same footing with my brothers and to teach them this art. if they shall wish to learn it. without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, to those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to no others. I Will follow that system of regime which, according to my ability and judgment. 1 consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel: and in like manner, I will not give to a woman an instrument to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I Will not cut persons suffering from the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter. I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not in connection with it. I see or hear in the life of men, which ought not to be s| oken abroad, 1 will not divulge; as reckoning that all such things should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men. in all times! Hut should 1 trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot! 21

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UNIVERSITY O F PITTSBURGH cost to reach the present objective, alive to our own shortcomings ami alert to a solution which will Ik- safe for the public and just to ourselves. We should not get excited about the remedies suggested by people who have already run amuck in their own line of business. The active discussion, so much of it confusing, which apiK-ars in literature today. l)oth in lay and medical journals, must necessarily have a disturbing and conflicting influence upon the minds of young men and women about to enter the practice of medicine. The subject of charity has grown increasingly difficult because of a greater appreciation on the part of the community that poverty is a condition which should not Ik- permitted to exist. This development indicates the presence of a better religion and in centuries to come there is little doubt that our ideals will be realized. One of the great difficulties in the present era is that we are inclined to make haste faster than our financial condition will permit. All these complex problems might be settled over night if we had the money to meet the many issues. It does not appear, however, that this is the plan of the Creator. It seems necessary that we earn our way and it is apparently in the scheme of life that all advancement is earned only at the expense of toil and suffering. There is one great trouble in dealing with this subject and that is in the lack of knowledge as to what the causes are and how to deal with them. There is an increasing number of people who are interested in the welfare of humanity, some of whom contribute money, others time and effort, and, unfortunately, another group who feel that if they can enlist the free services of others that their own responsibility has been discharged. In this confusion we should remember that for all time the members of our profession have given freely of their strength to those in physical and mental distress when necessary, without thought of reward. The great question to decide is what is charity and when and how it should Ik- applied. Poverty may Ik- due to misfortune, injustice, or to a hereditary lack of effort and its treatment must eventually Ik- based ujKm the cause, but in the meantime the honest and right-minded physician will continue to contribute his service as in the past, and it is to Ik- hoped that the other members of society may catch the inspiration of his example and honestly give of themselves, either in a financial way or through service on a plane equal to that of the physician. So far as the doctor is concerned, it is doubtful whether he would Ik happy if his opportunity to serve humanity as lie chose were taken away. There is much excitement about changing methods of practice, state medicine, so-called, and recently group practice, as recommended by the Committee on the Cost of Medical Care, which are causing wide discussion among the profession. Any kind of practice which interferes with the growth and development of the individual in medicine will fail, because it is based upon a false doctrine. Surely we should have the intelligence to profit from the experience of foreign countries. If we do not. then there will Ik- a jK-riod of retrogression in medicine in this country as it has actually occurred in Germany, the country in which it originated. In the end we will rise- above it and advance wiser for the experiment. If every young man in medicine could Ik- prevailed upon to hold himself free and unhamjK-red by any form of contract which might interfere with Ills chosen line of growth, great will Ik- his satisfaction and pleasure in the field of medicine. If he builds on the right foundation his life will not differ from the lives of physicians in the past, except that with improved methods in diagnosis and treatment he may have greater reward in the satisfaction that conies with lK-»ter service. If making money is his chief aim, he should enter another field. 23