History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Internal Medicine 135Dr. A. L. Craig, Galesburg, decried the ushering in of the "PatentMedicine Era." As remedies for this situation he suggested education ofboth the public and the physicians, and exposure and prohibitive legislation.Dr. C. W. Purdy, Chicago, in a treatise on clinical diagnosis of Bright'sdisease, followed the old classification of the large white parenchymatoustype, the atrophic granular variety and amyloid kidney. He stated: "We donot need microscope or chemistry to make a diagnosis—only careful clinicalobservation is needed."Professor S. F. Clevenger of the Art Institute gave an interesting illustratedlecture on "Artistic Anatomy and the Sciences Useful to the Artist."The total mortality reported for Chicago for February 1883, was 859, ofwhich number 87 were due to pneumonia, 80 to infantile convulsions, 79 tophthisis and 34 to diphtheria.A sharp debate was current between pharmacists and physicians, to theeffect that pharmacists should not prescribe medicines except in an emergency,while physicians should not dispense medicines except in an emergency.Prescriptions, it was felt, should be kept on file by the pharmacist,both for his records and for his protection.Much was written in medical publications opposing the intervention ofthe state in medical affairs.Dr. William T. Belfield,Chicago, delivered the Cartwright Lecture atthe College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1883. He acceptedcompletely the causal relation of micro-organisms to disease and was ablyabetted by Dr. Henry Gradle.1884The annual address before the State Society was given by the President,Dr. Edmund Andrews of Chicago, on "Medical Ethics versus Etiquette ofa Professional Man." Three principles of ethics were cited: (1) The physicianmust bring to his work a thorough knowledge of his profession; (2)he must use this knowledge diligently and honestly for the benefit of hispatients, and (3) he must shape his conduct toward his patrons and towardhis medical brethren in the spirit of honor, kindness and geniality.Dr. F. W. Godine, Ancona, wrote an excellent article on the recognitionof human parasites, giving the classification, method of infestation, symptomsand treatment.The Committee on Medical Practice discussed hay fever;reported that"febriculae" were gradually vanishing due to early and better diagnosis;reported that diseases of the pancreas were more common than was supposed,and presented a demonstration of tests for albuminuria and glycosuria.