Athothis : a satire on modern medicine / by Thomas C. Minor.

Now, these remarks may be applied to all specialists, save surgeons and oculists, whose skill is, for the most part, merely mechanical. Look how the last few years have developed specialists in Bright's disease and neuras- thenia. It was a time-honored axiom, that there is wis- dom in a multitude of counselors. But this rule only works confusion when applied to modern medical men." " You are too severe," said Paulus Androcydes, in an expostulating voice. " You neither appear to value the minute knowledge of a special subject acquired by some physicians, nor do you seem to consider their consulta- tions of much value. Are you not aware that no one man can master the immense field occupied by modern medicine, nor become expert in all branches of our noble science ? Is it not better to become perfect in one dis- ease rather than imperfect in all ? I suppose you will claim that Egypt, Greece, and Rome had better physi- cians than the present age; and, because many of your learned men walked afoot, lived on dry crusts, and even wanted for the wick wherewith to burn the midnight oil, they were therefore more skillful than moderns." " You are indulging in sarcasm," responded Athothis, in a tone of amusement. " You evidently do not com- prehend my remarks. Believe me, I do not undervalue a special knowledge on medical subjects, and fully agree with you that no mortal man can compass the entire do- main of medical wisdom, neither acquire a perfect under- standing of every branch of the healing art. But the body is such a complicated piece of mechanism, and the manifestations of disease so numerous, that a general knowledge of the whole organism, even though very im- perfect, is better than the special skill just manifested in this consultation. Billem and Pillem are true specimens