and
we
liope
PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE DISREGARDED IN INDIA. Tiie Sub-Assistant
Surgeons of the Bengal Presidency have petition to tlie Lieutenant-Governor, setting forth their grievances and praying for redress. The document is well ?written, temperate, and explicit; it shows in plain, but forcible language the marked and invidious distinctions that exist between their position and that of other Uncovenanted empioyes of the Government ; and it proves the utter negation to them, on the part of the ruling powers, of all social and official status. The tenor of the petition evinces that the Native Medical men appreciate the anomalous position in which they are placed as to pay and standing, and renders it evident that they begin to recognize in the degree of the Calcutta University an analogy with the famed apples of the shores of the Dead Sea?sweet and tempting to the eye from a distance, but di&solving into dust and bitterness when realized and brought to the lips. It is no exaggeration to say that every word of this reasonable and just complaint is correct, and it is impossible to believe otherwise than that, when the matter has been well considered, something will be done, and a new state of things inaugurated. The head of the Bengal Government is eminently a friend to Medical education and the Medical Service, and the simple justice this department of it seeks at his hands is certain, at least, to be attentively considered. Endurance, it must be confessed, has been stretched to the utmost limit of tension; and resilient though it has ever proved, yet, like the most elastic of cords, if over-strained, it will at last give way. The young Medical graduates of the addressed
a
Calcutta
University
ment,
if
now
hesitate to enter the service of Govern-
do enter, it is
but, too often, only almost immedithey ately afterwards to resign; the few who remain retaining the office they begin by despising, simply as a matter of convenience, or
and to be cast aside for the first better is
a
thing that appears to offer a prospect of emolument. This is much to be regretted : it thousand pities that the services of so many highly
educated Medical
men
should be
lost to
the
Government,
places they are so well calculated to fill given to others less adapted to the work than they are; yet this might all be easily remedied, and the services of the best men might be secured, were the inducements held out to them and
the
in any way commensurate with their deserts or the interests involved.
That such may ultimately be the case, is
our
cordial
wish;
the
period is
not distant wlien
we
may see the Na-
graduates of the country University placed in the position, arid in receipt of the emoluments. to which they are entitled. We say we feel hopeful, because, under the influence of a more liberal spirit, the views that arc now taken by Government of Scientific matters and men generally, give ground for believing that there is reason to trust that better things arc coming. But there is something else wanted?something that is requited in the graduates themselves, if they would really see their profession raised to the place, in social and public consideration, that it ought to occupy. .We purposely speak of Graduates and SubAssistant Surgeons as of one class, for they are so in fact, and their interests are identical. For all that applies to the Government servant, in what we have to say, applies equally to the private practitioner; and though, perhaps, it may appear pointed and disagreeable, yet we say it with all kindness, and feel sure, too, that there are many who regret, as we do, the present state of things. We trust that a little wholesome truth, spoken iu a friendly way, may prove beneficial to all, though it may be unpalatable to some. As Ave have said, we entirely sympathise with the gentlemen who have petitioned, and we cannot but endorse the claim they have submitted to Government; for, believing that all they have urged is true, we think that much, if not all, of what they ask might fairly be conceded. But we would say more, and it is : that if they would really raise their position to the standard it ought to reach ; if they would fill the place in professional and public esteem to which, by their education and academic training, they are justly entitled ; if they would, as a body corporate, gain ground and secure it in the public mind ; and if they would hope to exercise an influence for good over their fellow-citizens, and thus realize a position of abiding importance in the community among which they live ;?they must do more than petition the ruling powers for public rights and privileges?they must take counsel with themselves, and determine to be true to each other and to their profession?they must by their individual, as well as by their collective efforts and bearing, endeavour to carry out those principles on which the practice, not only of Medicine, but of all liberal pursuits, is regulated, and without which Physicians, like other professional men, can neither preserve their own self-respect nor the dignity of their calling. We have no hesitation in saying that whilst a lax observance of the simplest rules of ethical propriety continues to obtain, so long as Medical men are content to practise the profession of Medicine as though it were one of the meanest trades, as long as they are willing to climb the ladder of professional advancement by making each other the steps by which they ascend;?whilst they are satisfied to obtain credit at the expense of each other's reputation?whilst the commonest rules of professional courtesy are set aside in their intercourse with each other's patients?or whilst one Medical man is prepared to supplant another without consultation, concurrence, or consent,?so long will the Medical profession have to complain that its position is an unsatisfactory one, and so long will its members have to endure the depressed condition, from which they seek to rise. tive Medical
men
of this
and the
That such is the state of the case, to a considerable extent
amongst the class alluded to, we believe will not be denied. Though we know from our own experience, also, that there are many who do otherwise, and long to see the reproach taken
March
away.
FEOFESSOIt J. Y. SIMPSON, OF EDINBURGH".
1, 18G6.J Our
object
is
neither to criticise
nor
condemn,
but to
advise and encourage ; and we trust tliat the counsel will be taken in the spirit in which it is given. Sut whilst wishing to
speak kindly,
we
say
emphatically,
that the time has
come
when those who know and recognize the evil should assert the
rights
of their
profession, firmly
set their faces
against
all
breach of ordinary etiquette, and insist on a due observance of those ethical rules which should stringently regulate all professional intercourse and practice. The time has gone by in which it might be said that allowances should be made for the circumstances under
practise. The Science of Medikeenly studied, as thoroughly appreciated, and as skilfully practised here as in Europe, and it is idle to suppose that, if the truths of the Science can be comprehended, the laws which appertain to its practice and its well-being arc to remain a mystery. "We would therefore earnestly advise our Native friends tc persevere, not only in endeavouring by all proper means to improve their public position, but to advance their professional welfare. Generally, we have their interests at heart, and desire to see them placed where they ought to stand. "We trust, therefore, that they will accept in a proper spirit the hint we have thrown which the Native Melical men cine is as
'
out. Let them look into the matter and
see
that,
ere
the Govern-
respond to their really honest claims, they have set their own house in order, and are prepared to adopt with the theories of European Medicine the practice of European Ethics?that it may not only be in the Science, but also in the tone and spirit of the West, that they have received and can apply the truths and benefits of the art of healing. ment
can
69
we
liope
PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE DISREGARDED IN INDIA. Tiie Sub-Assistant
Surgeons of the Bengal Presidency have petition to tlie Lieutenant-Governor, setting forth their grievances and praying for redress. The document is well ?written, temperate, and explicit; it shows in plain, but forcible language the marked and invidious distinctions that exist between their position and that of other Uncovenanted empioyes of the Government ; and it proves the utter negation to them, on the part of the ruling powers, of all social and official status. The tenor of the petition evinces that the Native Medical men appreciate the anomalous position in which they are placed as to pay and standing, and renders it evident that they begin to recognize in the degree of the Calcutta University an analogy with the famed apples of the shores of the Dead Sea?sweet and tempting to the eye from a distance, but di&solving into dust and bitterness when realized and brought to the lips. It is no exaggeration to say that every word of this reasonable and just complaint is correct, and it is impossible to believe otherwise than that, when the matter has been well considered, something will be done, and a new state of things inaugurated. The head of the Bengal Government is eminently a friend to Medical education and the Medical Service, and the simple justice this department of it seeks at his hands is certain, at least, to be attentively considered. Endurance, it must be confessed, has been stretched to the utmost limit of tension; and resilient though it has ever proved, yet, like the most elastic of cords, if over-strained, it will at last give way. The young Medical graduates of the addressed
a
Calcutta
University
ment,
if
now
hesitate to enter the service of Govern-
do enter, it is
but, too often, only almost immedithey ately afterwards to resign; the few who remain retaining the office they begin by despising, simply as a matter of convenience, or
and to be cast aside for the first better is
a
thing that appears to offer a prospect of emolument. This is much to be regretted : it thousand pities that the services of so many highly
educated Medical
men
should be
lost to
the
Government,
places they are so well calculated to fill given to others less adapted to the work than they are; yet this might all be easily remedied, and the services of the best men might be secured, were the inducements held out to them and
the
in any way commensurate with their deserts or the interests involved.
That such may ultimately be the case, is
our
cordial
wish;
the
period is
not distant wlien
we
may see the Na-
graduates of the country University placed in the position, arid in receipt of the emoluments. to which they are entitled. We say we feel hopeful, because, under the influence of a more liberal spirit, the views that arc now taken by Government of Scientific matters and men generally, give ground for believing that there is reason to trust that better things arc coming. But there is something else wanted?something that is requited in the graduates themselves, if they would really see their profession raised to the place, in social and public consideration, that it ought to occupy. .We purposely speak of Graduates and SubAssistant Surgeons as of one class, for they are so in fact, and their interests are identical. For all that applies to the Government servant, in what we have to say, applies equally to the private practitioner; and though, perhaps, it may appear pointed and disagreeable, yet we say it with all kindness, and feel sure, too, that there are many who regret, as we do, the present state of things. We trust that a little wholesome truth, spoken iu a friendly way, may prove beneficial to all, though it may be unpalatable to some. As Ave have said, we entirely sympathise with the gentlemen who have petitioned, and we cannot but endorse the claim they have submitted to Government; for, believing that all they have urged is true, we think that much, if not all, of what they ask might fairly be conceded. But we would say more, and it is : that if they would really raise their position to the standard it ought to reach ; if they would fill the place in professional and public esteem to which, by their education and academic training, they are justly entitled ; if they would, as a body corporate, gain ground and secure it in the public mind ; and if they would hope to exercise an influence for good over their fellow-citizens, and thus realize a position of abiding importance in the community among which they live ;?they must do more than petition the ruling powers for public rights and privileges?they must take counsel with themselves, and determine to be true to each other and to their profession?they must by their individual, as well as by their collective efforts and bearing, endeavour to carry out those principles on which the practice, not only of Medicine, but of all liberal pursuits, is regulated, and without which Physicians, like other professional men, can neither preserve their own self-respect nor the dignity of their calling. We have no hesitation in saying that whilst a lax observance of the simplest rules of ethical propriety continues to obtain, so long as Medical men are content to practise the profession of Medicine as though it were one of the meanest trades, as long as they are willing to climb the ladder of professional advancement by making each other the steps by which they ascend;?whilst they are satisfied to obtain credit at the expense of each other's reputation?whilst the commonest rules of professional courtesy are set aside in their intercourse with each other's patients?or whilst one Medical man is prepared to supplant another without consultation, concurrence, or consent,?so long will the Medical profession have to complain that its position is an unsatisfactory one, and so long will its members have to endure the depressed condition, from which they seek to rise. tive Medical
men
of this
and the
That such is the state of the case, to a considerable extent
amongst the class alluded to, we believe will not be denied. Though we know from our own experience, also, that there are many who do otherwise, and long to see the reproach taken
March
away.
FEOFESSOIt J. Y. SIMPSON, OF EDINBURGH".
1, 18G6.J Our
object
is
neither to criticise
nor
condemn,
but to
advise and encourage ; and we trust tliat the counsel will be taken in the spirit in which it is given. Sut whilst wishing to
speak kindly,
we
say
emphatically,
that the time has
come
when those who know and recognize the evil should assert the
rights
of their
profession, firmly
set their faces
against
all
breach of ordinary etiquette, and insist on a due observance of those ethical rules which should stringently regulate all professional intercourse and practice. The time has gone by in which it might be said that allowances should be made for the circumstances under
practise. The Science of Medikeenly studied, as thoroughly appreciated, and as skilfully practised here as in Europe, and it is idle to suppose that, if the truths of the Science can be comprehended, the laws which appertain to its practice and its well-being arc to remain a mystery. "We would therefore earnestly advise our Native friends tc persevere, not only in endeavouring by all proper means to improve their public position, but to advance their professional welfare. Generally, we have their interests at heart, and desire to see them placed where they ought to stand. "We trust, therefore, that they will accept in a proper spirit the hint we have thrown which the Native Melical men cine is as
'
out. Let them look into the matter and
see
that,
ere
the Govern-
respond to their really honest claims, they have set their own house in order, and are prepared to adopt with the theories of European Medicine the practice of European Ethics?that it may not only be in the Science, but also in the tone and spirit of the West, that they have received and can apply the truths and benefits of the art of healing. ment
can
69
