of the community and a courageous group of physicians take a firm stand for their correction, they may expect slanderous criticism of their motives. And among the opposition will sometimes be found the reactionary physician, who has become myopic to the broader view of Medical Ethics.
But of all the scoffers at the tenets of our medical creed, none equals in numbers or virulence of accusation the quasi-medical sects—the "rubbers" and "healers". 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. 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.
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? 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. 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.
Too generally the profession has become obsessed with the idea of magnitude, in practice rather than quality of work, or contributions to professional betterment. "Big Business" in medicine, like in the commercial and industrial world, may produce a few medical plutocrats, but its tendency will be to lower the general professional tone, and establish false standards of practice. It is not in keeping with the ancient traditions of medicine, nor consonant with "The Principles of Medical Ethics" that we should bow down before the Mammon of avarice.
Finally, may it not be contended that sufficient argument has been offered to justify the conclusion that there is urgent need, in these times of medical unrest, for a rejuvenation of "The Principles of Medical Ethics"? Let this instrument be considered not merely an epitome of the laws governing the moral conduct of physicians but a living, moving force to promote the ideals of medical progress. As the Decalogue was to the ancient Hebrews, so let the profession of medicine find light and guidance in a revival of "The Ten Commandments of Medical Ethics".
The Ten Commandments of Medical Ethics
- Reverence and Responsibility.
Remember thy Creator in the days of professional youth. Bow reverently before the wonderful human body, sick or well, as thou wouldst before a sacred shrine, conscious of thy high duty; resolved to serve to the best of thy power, whether the patient be black or white, prince or pauper, saint or degenerate. - Historic Appreciation.
Honor thy father and thy mother. Likewise give praise to the fathers in medicine whose rich heritage of scientific and clinical truth has been handed down to thee through centuries of patient toil. Hold fast to that which is good, but let not prejudice coming out of the past blind thy vision to the newer truths of medical advancement. - Keeping the Faith.
Thou shalt not worship the graven images of false practice—of avarice and selfishness which eat at the very heart of medical idealism; of clever artifice or brazen quackery which knowingly deceives; of erratic isms and cults which tell but half truths, leading the ignorant and unwary astray. - Inviolable Confidences.
Thou shalt not disclose the secrets confided to thy keeping by trusting patients unless they be of criminal or treasonable import. 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. The unborn shalt thou not destroy except after due consultation, it is deemed advisable for the larger saving of life. Suffer not death to
