THE YOUNG PHYSICIAN Thesis by David Ward, Class of 1851
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Fall 2000 THE YOUNG PHYSICIAN Thesis by David Ward, Class of 1851 The young physician after years of hard study, of continual drill, his empty purse made so by his devoted enthusiasm for the For the first several decades of the Medical acquirement of his profession, finally presents himself for public School’s existence, graduating students were patronage. And what are the questions usually asked by the required to present a thesis, in their own public? Did you receive your degree from a medical school in handwriting, as part of their graduation N.Y. or Philadelphia? as if learning the A.B.C. in those places requirements. Most of these theses were about medical subjects of special interest to gave evidence of a more thorough knowledge of the alphabet the student. But David Ward (M.D. 1851) than if it had been learned in Michigan. took a different approach. Frustrated by the How long have you been in practice Sir? will be the inter- still widespread acceptance of uneducated practitioners in his new profession and rogatory of the many, with a criticizing tone, as if everyone must clearly overwrought by the arduousness of learn all by his own experience, and not profit by the thousands his studies, he railed against quackery, the that have gone before, nearly in the same path. incurable diseases that he would face as a doctor and even the East Coast biases of Is this the way that a medical gentleman is to be received, those who didn’t understand what a after all his efforts, after all his researches? Is his youthful dream medical degree from Michigan meant. of benefiting his fellow kind, of enjoying respectability and of While today’s new M.D.s face challenges far acquiring a competence for himself and family, to end thus? different from those faced by David Ward, Then comes the list of almost incurable diseases…epidemic his passionate desire to see the world become diseases…and the long list of quacks, of charlatans, too numer- a better place, a place where people’s lives could be made happier and healthier ous to mention that we have to combat. And do you say that we through the care of thoughtful, highly should not contend with them — that there is no use of enlight- trained physicians, is one still shared by his ening the public on medical science — that if we will but let fellow graduates a century and a half later. them alone they will die the death of all former impostors? I The concerns expressed by panelists in the have sometimes thought so, but as years roll round, as Michigan Sesquicentennial Symposium (see pages lengthens in her medical history, I am somewhat disappointed. 44-47) demonstrate that today’s caring physicians still face daunting forces in Allow me to inquire what are the positions of quite a numerous carrying out their mission. If David Ward class of the people of this state, perhaps the most illiterate? I were still here, he no doubt would have been answer if I am not very much mistaken, to support quackery in a vocal participant himself! its most revolting forms. Nor is this class limited to the country entirely: search Detroit, search Ann Arbor, the very seats of learning and intelligence, and you will find plenty of quack advocates. And did I say that these quackish and knavish (continued on inside back cover) (continued from inside front cover) sentiments were cherished entirely by the ignorant? If so I recall that assertion, for I am credibly informed, that petitions have been in circulation in Ann Arbor, and other parts of the state, praying the legislature to establish chairs for those denominated Botanists or Botanical physicians, for Uroscopists, and even for Homoeopathists, and that some of these petitions have received the signature and support of some of our so called honorable citizens…. Nations talk about the suffering occasioned by famines, about the calamities of war; and great evils these are too, but are not some nations nourishing a vision in their own bosoms, that stings, that destroys their millions unheeded? If we could only look upon all the ruined constitutions — the lives made more miserable than death itself — the dying agonies of men, of mothers leaving all most dear, that have been caused by unskillful medical treatment, by false pretenders and quackery of every name, what heart could not feel, what eyes would not overflow with most soul-rending tears…Who is not struck with horror at such scenes though accustomed to their frequent occurrences? What tongue can tell half the bosom feels! It is good for me to be a physician, to be a young physician, for now my time may be lengthened to combat these monsters of human misery — these triflers of human life. Liberty! how that darling word is praised, how highly prized — this is all well, but this liberty which results in sapping the life’s foundation, that racks the nation’s health to a skeleton, though we may continue to bow, to applaud its name, it is worse than blind submission, thus to adore the shadow without a reality. For such liberty I pant not, and would exchange its stars and stripes, for tyranny in name, but far less in reality. It is the duty, the high privilege of the physician, of the young physician, to expose these rascalities, whenever and wherever they may be found — Strip the villainous carcasses of their benign coverings, and show them to the world in all their disgusting putrescence. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID at MICHIGAN Ann Arbor, MI Permit No. 144 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEDICAL SCHOOL Office of Medical Development and Alumni Relations 301 E. Liberty, Suite 300 Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2251 Executive Officers of the U-M Health System: Gilbert S. Omenn, U-M Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, and CEO, U-M Health System; Allen S. Lichter, Dean, U-M Medical School; Larry Warren, Executive Director, U-M Hospitals and Health Centers The Regents of the University of Michigan: David A. Brandon, Ann Arbor; Laurence B. Deitch, Bloomfield Hills; Daniel D. Horning, Grand Haven; Olivia P. Maynard, Goodrich; Rebecca McGowan, Ann Arbor; Andrea Fischer Newman, Ann Arbor; S. Martin Taylor, Grosse Pointe Farms; Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor; Lee C. Bollinger, ex officio The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmation action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the University's Director of Affirmative Action and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, 4005 Wolverine Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1281, (734) 763-0235, TDD (734) 747-1388. For other University of Michigan information, call (734) 764-1817. CCELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF MEDICINE AT MICHIGAN Sesquicentennial Highlights his special issue of Medicine at Michigan marks the culmination of the Medical T School’s 150th anniversary, which ends with our Sesquicentennial Celebration/All- Classes Reunion on October 13 and 14 in Ann Arbor. We hope you are planning to be with us for this great event, which will be marked with a special sesquicentennial performance by the Michigan Marching Band during half-time of the Michigan-Illinois game on the afternoon of the 14th. Over the past year we’ve celebrated the School’s remarkable 150-year history in a number of wonderful ways, including the launching of this magazine in April 1999, and creating a sesqui- centennial Web site. In October 1999 we hosted the Sesquicentennial Convocation with its many distinguished speakers, and brought together in one place the School’s four living deans. In June of this year we sponsored a very well received Sesquicentennial Symposium attracting partici- pants from all across the country to discuss the question, “Will Professionalism Be a Casualty of Modern Medicine?” We updated Horace Davenport’s history, Not Just Any Medical School, and produced a video on the School’s history. Our celebration received national coverage when the entire February 16, 2000, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association was dedicated to articles from the U-M as a tribute to the Medical School’s sesquicentennial, with Victor Vaughan appearing as the cover portrait. Other sesquicentennial initiatives included the naming of basic science lecture halls after distinguished faculty, the induction of more than 75 alumni into a new Hall of Honor, the relocation of the Medical School’s more than 120 graduation composite photographs to the connection between Medical School Buildings and the hospitals, and the installation of four historical markers on the main and medical campuses to show the location of early buildings. (continued on page 48) “None of this would have been possible without the hard work and great imagination of the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee...” SESQUICENTENNIAL (continued from page 1) CELEBRATION COMMITTEE In addition a physician’s office, circa 1908, was installed in the Gerald Abrams, M.D., professor of pathology; Hospital lobby area for the enjoyment of visitors, Medical School students Robert Bartlett, M.D., professor of general took photos for a “Day in the Life” layout in the June 2000 yearbook, surgery; A. Kent Christensen, Ph.D., professor emeritus of cell and developmental biology; Aequanimitas, and students in the Victor Vaughan Society prepared a set Kristin Colligan, staff associate, Office of the of biographies on those individuals whose names have become part of the Dean; Michael DeBrincat, director of alumni School’s legacy through such means as endowed professorships and relations, Office of Medical Development and Alumni Relations; Rebecca Dunkailo, named societies.