Documenting the American South

Publisher: The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2011

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The State of Medical Science in N. C. [1]

The disobedience of our first parents "brought death into the world and all our woes" [2] From the hour in which an angry god pronounced, that man should die and not live, [3] he became liable to pain sickness and sorrow, and all the ills that are now incident to suffering humanity From the noble erect and lordly being that man was in Paradise, he became the wretched abject creature of an hour. When first ushered into the world, he is, of all animals the most frail and helpless. The slightest shock, the merest breath would annihilate [4] him. Had he not that being—a mother,—whose watchfulness never tires and whose love never grows cold—to receive him in her arms, and guard [5] him, like a tender flower, through the long, dark and unconscious period of his infancy; his gentle spirit could not long animate a form, so weak and sensitive. From the moment he becomes conscious of external things, pain and all her ghastly train of diseases, hovers around, ever ready to enclose him in their iron arms. In youth and in manhood they flit about him, and are the never-failing companions of his declining years. Such being man's physical frailty, it is natural that he should early have turned his attention to the art of healing or of alleviating disease. The science of "medicine" is not only the most ancient, but the most grave and dignified, that has ever engaged the attention of mankind. It is the child of instinct, it is the offspring of necessity. Philanthropy has ever laboured in its advancement; the sages and philosophers of antiquity, names that now live but on the pages of the historian, are identified with its interests, and the wisest and best of every age and every clime, have devoted their mightiest energies to the work of its promotion. From primeval time it has struggled

with favorite theories. Religion, superstition, and every freak of philosophy have exerted over it a controlling influence, and the science is even yet enveloped in a mist of uncertainty. The happy era, when conflicting theories shall be overturned and medicine established on a firm and solid basis— Founded on the study of man's physical constitution, it can approach perfection only in proportion as that constitution is developed, [7] and the natural causes which affect it become known. In these latter days, since men have thrown aside theory, and begun to apply themselves more to actual observation, and since the human frame has been rigidly examined medicine and all the other natural sciences, to which it is so nearly related, has shaken off some of the prejudices of thousands of years, and made rapid strides towards the goal of perfection. But though much has been done, much more remains to be accomplished The science is yet in comparative infancy, and time and the observation of the most powerful, and erudite minds, can alone contribute to its advancement. The nations of Europe and some parts of our own country are deeply and successfully engaged in the work of medical research. North Carolina, our own beloved but too cautious state is content to sit in listless inactivity until she sees a path marked out for her by others. Oh! that she could feel the mighty energy that is within her, and rousing herself like a lion from his slumbers, take that stand among the other sovereignties of the world, in science and the arts, to which her natural resources and abilities would elevate her. Philanthropy shudders, as she turns her eyes upon these fair plains, and sees the heartless and inhuman neglect into which this dignified and all-important Profession has fallen. Instead of our physicians being men of taste, science and extensive learning, the whole country is [co]vered with ignorant and presumptuous quacks—"Thick as Autumnal leaves, that strew the brooks in Vallumbrosa." [8] Here, and there, indeed we find one, who is an ornament to his profession. But they appear amidst this barren waste of empiricism, like those mighty and majestic pines that rear at intervals their green undying heads to relieve the "dismal continuity" of a winter's landscape. When sickness prevails and death are is abroad in the land in all its terrors, and unlettered and ill-bred physicians are contributing to swell yet more the number (of its victims) like Israel's great High Priest, they stand between the dead and the living to stay the destroying pestilence. [9] Original talent aided by extensive education, was the corner stone upon which their medical knowledge was based, and in the want of this foundation, lies the great secret of the general [incompetence of our physicians. The partially edu]cated, or those who have remained in ignorance, through indolence or inability to acquire knowledge, are the men, who here devote themselves to this profession—Of the members who annually receive the diplomas of this institution, how rarely do we find one whom she has delighted to honor, offering his laurels before the shrine of Aesculapius—Whatever of talent [is] to be [10] found in any class is destined to the study of the Law Those alone who feel their minds too weak, to cope with their fellows in the war of words, who are conscious of their inability to conduct our litigations, and expound to us the law,—fearlessly take upon themselves the care of our health and our lives—"In such bold tasks will little minds engage". [11] It were to be supposed, that men of such slender qualifications would shrink from an office of such terrible responsibility, that they would relinquish a study, in which they cannot but meet with insurmountable difficulties, and to in which to their unscientific Eyes "Hills peep o'er hills and Alps on Alps arise" [12] But such is the vanity & blindness [13] of ignorance that they persevere in spite of the warnings of [14] reason and of conscience. The loss of life, from ill directed and uncertain efforts of inefficient medical advisers is truly incalculable. An epidemic of that transient and temporary nature, which sometimes appears in the most healthy and highly favored countries, has lately swept over portions of our State, and hurried to a premature grave, the young the wise, and the great. A thousand hearts are now cold, that a short time since beat high [with hope and vigor. We could] mention one small spot, above all others, where the hand of the destroyer has been most busy; and in that spot, we might point to more than one, young unpractised, and miserably ignorant physician whose poisonous drugs, doubtless acted a conspicuous part in the horrid drama. Probably by the timely [aid] of proper medical advice, many of those we loved, might have been spared to us, whose lifeless forms, now moulder in the dust. Many among us might not have been called upon to clothe themselves in the habiliments of mourning, and possibly Carolina might not now be weeping over the untimely fate of [16] some of her most gifted and worthy sons. The facility with which licenses and diplomas can be obtained [17] is the great first cause of this alarming abuse of the medical profession. Education is not required or even an acquaintance with those natural and most essential sciences, which form the very basis of medicine.— [18] The applicant, though his mind be of the most ordinary stamp, and though.
"One science only will one genius fit So vast is art, so narrow human wit," [19] has only to devote a few of his leisure hours, to the perusal of medical works, recite occasionally to a practitioner, almost as ignorant as himself, and attend t[wo or] three a courses of lectures, when he is turned loose upon the community a licensed manslayer. Every where around us, we see such characters, men whose apparent occupation is.—"To make sound men sick, and sick men kill." [20] Unless some measures are speedily adopted to prevent this inhuman perversion of medicine, North Carolina will soon be filled with these legalised murderers— It must be plain to every reflecting mind, that none but men of high talent and most varied and extensive acquirements should devote themselves to the study of medicine. The most gigantic genius [can then find] ample employment for every faculty of his mind, even if fully prepared, and trained to the most vigorous exercise. How then can those expect to meet with success who have no knowledge whatever, of the thousand natural sciences which lie at the very foundation of the study In order that medicine may rise like a Phoenix from the ashes in which it is now lying, and attain that peculiar dignity, which of right belongs to it, the profession must be rid of those useless members who have so long clogged and restrained its upward flight—Then and not till then will we see the grateful incense of talent and learning, rising from the altar before which a Galen and a Hippocrates worshipped. Were our people intelligent and educated, then might we hope, that [21] popular opinion would soon crush the encroaching genius of quackery. But so different is the true state of the case from this, that they are in general unable to distinguish quackery from true medical worth[.] The two have the same exchangeable value, and of course talent is driven to seek its reward elsewhere. Where then can we look for relief, except indeed it be our Legislature. Her strong arm alone can strike the demon of quackery to the dust, and if she fails us there is indeed no earthly power, that can rid us of this grim [mons]ter, whose frightful jaws are [even] now red, and clothed with the gore of our People.

James. L. Dusenberry

Chapel Hill. N C.
18th Nov. 1841 [22]