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

428 HENRY BAIRD FAVILL
mind and purpose, the need is greater in the medical profession.
The most serious indictment of medical practice to-day
is that it is superficial. Unless guidance of the public in
this direction is to be left to sociologists, and amongst these,
to enthusiasts, faddists, and blundering well-meaners, the
medical profession must be not only better educated but
differently educated. Not only is the profession not well
trained in sanitary science, but it is still less well trained
in the philosophy and principles of hygiene.
It is unthinkable
that a profession which has not devoted itself earnestly
to a subject so intricate and widely ramified can
have much value in leading the populace upon a safe road.
It is inevitable that a profession so educated shall deal
with effects rather than with causes and shall fail to discern
and, whether disposed to shirk or not, shall be incompetent
to point out the logical sequences which must be clearly
comprehended in order to render service of any signal
value.
From this point of view there are no trifling ailments in
medical experience; there are no "unimportant" matters.
That which makes the mass of physicians' problems insignificant,
is that they are dealt with insignificantly. There
is no so-called minor ailment which has not a major reasoning
within it, and the test of a physician's ability will be
his capacity to discern ultimate facts and, so far as may
be, readjust conditions.
There is probably no part of this field demanding such
acumen, patience, and breadth of view as mental hygiene.
Not only are foundations to be laid better than now, but a
larger comprehension of the relation of mental to physical
and social life must be acquired. Failure to realize this and
to incorporate,
with the materials of physiological reform,
the patient's mental contribution, is largely responsible for
superficiality in our present method. Not only must we
see, but our patient must see to the end before we have