if not also the fuller and better
observation,
which
knowledge confer.
Wheu
prolonged study is
authority
and research
things, always
We live in
so.
gress ; and
a
world and
in matters of
necessarily
these
supported by
its influence is irresistible.
But it is not of proage is not
period
science,
guarantee of superior attainments,
a
perhaps the
reverse. While, therefore, the superior wisdom and breadth of view may be conceded as generally characteristic of administra-
tive OFFICIAL SCIENCE. It is and of
interesting
an
one
and
which bears
strongly upon the subject article, how far executive
the
preceding ought to be guided in their purely professional duties by the opinions of their administrative superiors. It is also an medical officers
extremely difficult one. There is, on the one hand, the obligation to obey lawfully constituted authority, and, on the other, the right of private judgment and the correlative of personal res-
ponsibility? personal independence. This latter recognises another and different obligation?to the conscience of the individual?which may or may not harmonise with the other obligation. of duty
supplies the motive power to the fulfilment of both these obligations. When The
sense
they
coincide and tend in the
the rule of conduct is clear and
same
direction,
binding
;
when
in different direc-
to
they point point tions, perplexity arises, and it often becomes a matter of extreme nicety to decide which is the right course to follow?obedience to order, or or seem
obedience are
to
spurious
conscientious conviction. motives which
are
and obscure the judgment. On the
apt
There to arise
the
hand, please, or obtain the approbation of a superior, though generally laudable, may be carried to the length of encouraging crotchets and smothering personal beliefs. On the other hand,
desire
one
to
self-love
or
of needless
self-conceit may prompt the
insubordination
and
is
ledge
important question,
display
unnecessary
of
the
position,
by
essential.
no
means
Common
quality administration, and scientific eminnot always co-exist with administra-
ence
does
tive
ability.
From
these considerations it fol-
lows that much must
depend
the nature
on
of
the circumstances.
In matters of pure scientific opinion, every man is justified in holding that view which his education, experience,
research,
or thought may commend to the truest and best. He is bound
reading,
his mind
as
to treat the views of
those in
others,
more
especially
of
him, with respect, if not authority deference; but he is perfectly at liberty to form over
and state his fied in sure
and
opinions,
own
no
one
is
justi-
any pressure other than the presof reasoning and demonstration upon him
with
putting
view to induce him to alter them.
a
On
the contrary, he ought to be encouraged to justify and prove them. But opinions may lead
important practical issues, and it is here that The treatment of the the real difficulty arises. and the sick, naming registering of diseases, the suggestion and control of sanitary measures?
to
these
are
matters
the welfare of indivi-
affecting
duals and communities which
be
opinions. permitted freedom
extent may the or
tration
were
a
trative
as
to
thing
restrain,
to
what
authority
to correct?
scientific administime authoritative
as a
from time to
to this and that matter of scientific
to
rulings ?
upon the executive to
administrative impose
such
issuing
are
in sucli matters, and
intervene to direct,
If there
depend closely
How far
scientific
of view which arises from
extended field of
is the best
sense
belief?indicating what ful, what proved, and
an
superior knowuniversally so ; nor is it
for successful
private opinion. Theoretically, position implies, along with averor more than average ability, the wisdom age which results from experience, and the breadth flaunting
administrative
of
possession
was
certain,
what
control would
the deliverances of
what doubt-
disputed?administo adapt itself
have
such
a
tribunal;
but
TIJE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
82
[March,
1886.
ia better than a strained and artificial, and perauthority in matters of science 1ms neither fixed As regards the general abode, nor definite organ. General consent or haps untrue, uniformity. and tolerance, mutual forbearance acceptation is, as a rule, the strongest warrant question, of truth, and difference of opinion the best and an earnest and united effort to arrive at These must consti- the truth are the best means of avoiding any evidence of uncertainty. of administrative authority with exetute the criteria of fixed or unfixed scientific clashing cutive independence. doctrines or facts, and the circumstance that a certain doctrine is
exceptional or peculiar or authority, and renders disputable deprives it of
it unwise that it should be endorsed
by
trative
flaunted
the
hand, authority eccentricity on the other. constitutes the leading principle in on
or
one
executive
under notice.
This
and the action consequent exceptional or disputable demands
judgment;
authority
on,
an
issue of
a
be
doubtful
To revert to the
character.
fever in IivJia.
This, is
as we
certain
a
it
on
are
knowledge obviously
impose authoritatively,
to
wrong
would
it
but
by really
the matter
To determine whether
opinion
and
adminis-
or or
subject
oppose
disputed
of enteric
have shown in the of doubt
as subject preceding article, regards diagnosis, pathology, and causation, and does not admit of dogmatism or authoritative interference It happened once in one direction or another. a
that a strong minded Surgeon-General held that the so-called enteric fever of India was simply a
form
fever,
phase
or
of
consequently,
climatic fever. almost
Enteric
disappeared
time from the Madras returns.
The
for
a
Sanitary
Commissioner's report shows that two SurgeonsGeneral entertain different views regarding the C5 O nature and cause of the
fever;
but it does not
appear how far these have influenced the action of the executive in preparing returns. The
Sanitary Commissioner's report displays an admirable neutrality in discussing the question
worthy of imitation. This is a case in which diagnosis must be left to the executive, informing themselves as best they can, and striving
which is
conscientiously
to
arrive at the truth.
Adminis-
trative officers may advise or assist, and their long experience and opportunities of wider may in many cases fit them to effect, but the exercise of authority
observation do
so
is in The
with a
case
of this sort out of the
question.
may be unequal and uncertain, because opinions and practice fluctuate, but that returns
observation,
which
knowledge confer.
Wheu
prolonged study is
authority
and research
things, always
We live in
so.
gress ; and
a
world and
in matters of
necessarily
these
supported by
its influence is irresistible.
But it is not of proage is not
period
science,
guarantee of superior attainments,
a
perhaps the
reverse. While, therefore, the superior wisdom and breadth of view may be conceded as generally characteristic of administra-
tive OFFICIAL SCIENCE. It is and of
interesting
an
one
and
which bears
strongly upon the subject article, how far executive
the
preceding ought to be guided in their purely professional duties by the opinions of their administrative superiors. It is also an medical officers
extremely difficult one. There is, on the one hand, the obligation to obey lawfully constituted authority, and, on the other, the right of private judgment and the correlative of personal res-
ponsibility? personal independence. This latter recognises another and different obligation?to the conscience of the individual?which may or may not harmonise with the other obligation. of duty
supplies the motive power to the fulfilment of both these obligations. When The
sense
they
coincide and tend in the
the rule of conduct is clear and
same
direction,
binding
;
when
in different direc-
to
they point point tions, perplexity arises, and it often becomes a matter of extreme nicety to decide which is the right course to follow?obedience to order, or or seem
obedience are
to
spurious
conscientious conviction. motives which
are
and obscure the judgment. On the
apt
There to arise
the
hand, please, or obtain the approbation of a superior, though generally laudable, may be carried to the length of encouraging crotchets and smothering personal beliefs. On the other hand,
desire
one
to
self-love
or
of needless
self-conceit may prompt the
insubordination
and
is
ledge
important question,
display
unnecessary
of
the
position,
by
essential.
no
means
Common
quality administration, and scientific eminnot always co-exist with administra-
ence
does
tive
ability.
From
these considerations it fol-
lows that much must
depend
the nature
on
of
the circumstances.
In matters of pure scientific opinion, every man is justified in holding that view which his education, experience,
research,
or thought may commend to the truest and best. He is bound
reading,
his mind
as
to treat the views of
those in
others,
more
especially
of
him, with respect, if not authority deference; but he is perfectly at liberty to form over
and state his fied in sure
and
opinions,
own
no
one
is
justi-
any pressure other than the presof reasoning and demonstration upon him
with
putting
view to induce him to alter them.
a
On
the contrary, he ought to be encouraged to justify and prove them. But opinions may lead
important practical issues, and it is here that The treatment of the the real difficulty arises. and the sick, naming registering of diseases, the suggestion and control of sanitary measures?
to
these
are
matters
the welfare of indivi-
affecting
duals and communities which
be
opinions. permitted freedom
extent may the or
tration
were
a
trative
as
to
thing
restrain,
to
what
authority
to correct?
scientific administime authoritative
as a
from time to
to this and that matter of scientific
to
rulings ?
upon the executive to
administrative impose
such
issuing
are
in sucli matters, and
intervene to direct,
If there
depend closely
How far
scientific
of view which arises from
extended field of
is the best
sense
belief?indicating what ful, what proved, and
an
superior knowuniversally so ; nor is it
for successful
private opinion. Theoretically, position implies, along with averor more than average ability, the wisdom age which results from experience, and the breadth flaunting
administrative
of
possession
was
certain,
what
control would
the deliverances of
what doubt-
disputed?administo adapt itself
have
such
a
tribunal;
but
TIJE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
82
[March,
1886.
ia better than a strained and artificial, and perauthority in matters of science 1ms neither fixed As regards the general abode, nor definite organ. General consent or haps untrue, uniformity. and tolerance, mutual forbearance acceptation is, as a rule, the strongest warrant question, of truth, and difference of opinion the best and an earnest and united effort to arrive at These must consti- the truth are the best means of avoiding any evidence of uncertainty. of administrative authority with exetute the criteria of fixed or unfixed scientific clashing cutive independence. doctrines or facts, and the circumstance that a certain doctrine is
exceptional or peculiar or authority, and renders disputable deprives it of
it unwise that it should be endorsed
by
trative
flaunted
the
hand, authority eccentricity on the other. constitutes the leading principle in on
or
one
executive
under notice.
This
and the action consequent exceptional or disputable demands
judgment;
authority
on,
an
issue of
a
be
doubtful
To revert to the
character.
fever in IivJia.
This, is
as we
certain
a
it
on
are
knowledge obviously
impose authoritatively,
to
wrong
would
it
but
by really
the matter
To determine whether
opinion
and
adminis-
or or
subject
oppose
disputed
of enteric
have shown in the of doubt
as subject preceding article, regards diagnosis, pathology, and causation, and does not admit of dogmatism or authoritative interference It happened once in one direction or another. a
that a strong minded Surgeon-General held that the so-called enteric fever of India was simply a
form
fever,
phase
or
of
consequently,
climatic fever. almost
Enteric
disappeared
time from the Madras returns.
The
for
a
Sanitary
Commissioner's report shows that two SurgeonsGeneral entertain different views regarding the C5 O nature and cause of the
fever;
but it does not
appear how far these have influenced the action of the executive in preparing returns. The
Sanitary Commissioner's report displays an admirable neutrality in discussing the question
worthy of imitation. This is a case in which diagnosis must be left to the executive, informing themselves as best they can, and striving
which is
conscientiously
to
arrive at the truth.
Adminis-
trative officers may advise or assist, and their long experience and opportunities of wider may in many cases fit them to effect, but the exercise of authority
observation do
so
is in The
with a
case
of this sort out of the
question.
may be unequal and uncertain, because opinions and practice fluctuate, but that returns
