1930–31 Volume 55 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

Phi Leaders in the Professional WorldVII.OL /LD Aesculapius might not havebeen much astounded at the methodsof Hippocrates or even of Galen,some centuries later on, but the chancesare that if he happened to glance California-wardsfrom his Thessalianmountain top, a Coffey-Humber methodof treating cancer would give hima bit to ponder over. Many otherthings in these later days, modern psychiatricaccomplishments, for example,would probably puzzle that ancient sonof Apollo. The word phychiatry itselfwould be a mystery to him, despiteits etymological relationship tothe contemporary maiden who was engagedin such a carrying on withCupid.It would have been an extraordinarilyfascinating survey to havewatched with Aesculapius, downthrough the centuries, the developmentof the medical arts in which he wasso interested. For indeed, medicine isamong the oldest of the professions,one whose early years are so shroudedin antiquity as to make such professionsas engineering in its modernform seen but a callow, beardlessyouth beside it. With the Olympianpatron we could have looked down onthe laudable Greek and Roman contributions; we could have watched theblight of African-born plagues duringthe Dark Ages; we could have seenhow the barber-pole got its red andwhite stripes ; we could have been withHarvey when he was proving the circulationof the blood and with Jennerin his epochal work with smallpox.Medicine is not the exact sciencethat mathematics is, and possibly there­By RUSSELL H. FITZGIBBON,Hanover, '24MEDICINE[38]in lies some of its fascination for itsfollowers. It is difficult for the laymanto realize the ramifications of thisancient and honorable profession.From four to six years study on topof the usual college course is necessarybefore one even begins to specialize.Specialization offers unlimitedpossibilities. Dermatology, for instance,introduces one to some eighthundred diseases of the skin.Phis are occupying some of the enviableniches in this profession. Leadersin the field represent a number ofdifferent phases of the profession.Various colleges and universities aretheir alma maters, although the namesof certain schools are ones to conjurewith in medicine just as it is the casewith the ministry, law, etc.In Chicago there is Harold S. Hulbert,Michigan, '12 who took his doctoratein medicine two years later. Hehas become one of the foremost psychiatricspecialists of the Illinois metropolis.Here is a case in point regardingspecialization : for three yearsafter finishing his regular medicalcourse Brother Hulbert was engagedin post-graduate work in psychiatry.Incidentally, during this period he activelyorganized and directed the DetroitPsychopathic Clinic in connectionwith the juvenile court. He has beenquite active in cementing the relationshipbetween medicine and law andhas done considerable expert testimonywork in various types of cases. He hasalso worked out and published a wayof examining wealthy testators theday they make their wills so that iflater the will is contested the mental