Frank Barbour Wynn

“ Almost without exception, intelligent people know of the existence of a pact amongst decent practitioners, but the knowledge is vague. Some entertain the view that it is a sort of oath; others that it is a traditional custom descended from the ancient fathers in medicine; quite general is the opinion that it is an unwritten law of the profession containing obsolete rules of conduct, neither justified in wisdom nor right, but which long usage makes it impossible to shake off. ”

“ There often arises wide-spread suspicion of concerted endeavors of physicians for the common weal. Is it an impending epidemic of small-pox in which general vaccination is urged, the cynical voice of suspicion is raised, charging the medical profession with planning a vaccination harvest. Should unsanitary conditions threaten the health of the community and a courageous group of physicians take a firm stand for their correction, they may expect slanderous criticism of their motives. ”

“ It burns with righteous indignation, kindles the flame of patriotic fervor and lights the torch of liberty. Who is not proud of both? One served to arouse the builders of a republic to action and having served the purpose of the day, lives now chiefly as a beautiful historic sentiment. ”

“ It is the bulwark of wisdom and farsight, coming out of the fertile brain of Hamilton, protecting the liberties gained at so great a price, against future calamity. It is utterly devoid, however, of appeal to the imagination or emotions. ”

“ When we who have enjoyed these blessings are aroused by a zeal like Paul of old, to proclaim again and again upon every hand, the sacrifices and the spirit out of which and through which our country has grown, there will come to these peoples conviction and conversion. As soon as they are nationally born again they will become fit subjects to live and work under a wise governing Constitution. ”

“ Thus have these anti-medical agitators and pseudo-practitioners shouted themselves into a position of prominence in the public mind. So securely established are they that legislatures pay homage in negative conduct regarding reforms, and because of their substantial contributions to the advertising columns of the lay press, the latter gives them a fattening publicity. Stoically we have suppressed our emotions and borne their brazen aggressiveness. The professional brain is dizzy with apprehensive anxiety of what may come to pass. ”

“ Should we ever fall from these high standards, we will no longer be worthy the designation of a profession, but must march in the ranks of tradesmen.
Searching for the causes of public mistrust of the "Code" they are found to exist in ignorance concerning its nature and purposes. Laymen are excusable for these erroneous conceptions and misapprehensions. I never yet have talked to one who had read the Principles of Medical Ethics. ”

“ Note the large number of general practitioners entering special fields, frankly confessing the motive is greater ease and larger income. Even the tendency of the time to group practice finds its most frequent argument a desire to augment incomes rather than cooperative study, and productive scientific effort. This statement is borne out by the fact of frequent failures of group efforts, from wreckage upon the rocks of financial controversy. If one would be still further convinced, listen to the casual conversation of a group of medical men in the physicians' waiting room of a general hospital. ”

“ In the lay press the view is often expressed by inuendo if not by direct words, that "Medical Ethics" is a species of folly characterized by narrowness, not at all in keeping with the spirit of modern progress. ”

“ But let not the intensity of our zeal to punish or restrict the "irregulars" blind us to the existence of our own professional delinquencies. However venal and offensive their acts, has our conduct been above the suspicion of mercenary ambitions? ”

“ When concerted effort is made by the profession to require of these mushroom practitioners the same fundamental literary and scientific training which accredited physicians must take, they protest furiously, crying persecution and monopoly. ”

“ So walking upright before man, mayest thou shew thyself approved unto God. Thus journeying toward life's end, if not singing with the Psalmist "My cup runneth over," thou wilt at least be sustained by the reflections of "A workman that needeth not be ashamed." ”

“ Physicians themselves not rarely also show their ignorance of the scope and purpose of this instrument by falling in with the public judgment and condemning it by faint praise. In truth can the profession as a whole claim that any moving faith animates the rank and file in support of this "Charter of Achievement, Responsibility and Conduct"? ”

“ The theme of discussion is not so likely to be a recent article of great scientific interest, or the superior investigative work of some struggling young practitioner, but gossip about the volume of work or incomes of supposedly successful specialists. ”

“ They possess a sort of stereotyped monotony of mechanism which is repellant to enthusiasm. However fine and fundamental may be the American Constitution, does one gather enthusiasm from perusing its contents, as he does from reading the Declaration of Independence? ”

“ Nor shalt thou abuse the professional intimacy granted to thee by women, which becomes a professional and moral obligation thou shouldst hold inviolate. The Sanctity of Life.
Thou shalt not hazard life unwarrantably; neither shalt thou shrink before the obvious perils of duty when life is at stake. ”

“ But it is open to the very serious objection that it lacks in readable qualities which hold one's interest and attention. Constitutions are very important in setting forth the aims and rules of action in organizations, but who takes any particular delight in reading them? ”

“ Therefore shalt thou keep orderly accounts, collecting from the full-handed just recompense for services rendered. To the poor and the families of deserving colleagues, thou shouldst account it a privilege to render faithful attention. ”