Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 269
the death rate of infancy without assuming the responsibility
for childhood. It is as wrong as it is foolish to fight
for child life and happiness and permit the social struggle
to predestine perdition at adolescence.
All of these things, we know, are inextricably interwoven
with our specific problems of health. They are things
which must be dealt with by those with social insight and
conviction.
Part of these things we know better than any-
Can we upon any theory avoid the responsibility
body.
for our part? Obviously, the only way by which we can
come to our full measure of service is by earnest and
intelligent cooperation.
The time is already here when to be only a practicing
physician is a discredit. Not only has the medical profession
to furnish its
full quota to the army of social service,
but in many respects it must point out the way. The
pathology of society is as much the function of the medical
man as the pathology of human disease.
It is inevitable that, as the intelligent community traces
back conditions step by step to their causes,
the offices of
the medical profession shall become indispensable. It is
by this path that the medical profession will come into its
final reward.
In that day the lack of authority and influence,
which we are now disposed to deplore, will disappear.
mil
We shall find that our function as interpreters of life
determine our position of usefulness and repute. In the
meantime, what are we doing as practitioners? Assuming
that our scope is somewhat limited by opportunity, how
well are we meeting the possibilities which are before us?
Let us put the question differently. How generally are
the people of this country receiving a reasonable measure
of benefit from medical science?
WTien we regard the marvelous advance of medicine,
and the things which have been and can be achieved, that
are real and permanent, we are prone to be impressed with
the greatness of our calling. We must not forget that the