SCIENCE AND MAMMON

A writer in the February Harper's is of the opinion that many prominent doctors are alive to a critical weakening in the Medical Conscience. The causes of this social decay undoubtedly hark back to the bulk of improper material accepted by American Medical Schools and Colleges.

At Johns Hopkins, Osler maintained that a prospective student should enter Medicine "with the same spirit that the missionary leaves for his foreign field." It is questionable how many would-be doctors are thoroughly imbued with such an attitude today. Doubtless a great number find the prospects of a fairly lucrative and respectable profession more enticing than a life devoted to human welfare, whatever the personal sacrifice. One can hardly expect any other attitude in an age when material success is so highly prized, but the situation does not tend toward keeping up the high-grade morale demanded by the Medical Profession.

In the last analysis the only remedy is to inculcate young minds with a respect and enthusiasm for science and other interests beyond the reach of materialism. The Medical Schools alone cannot be censured until colleges and society at large put a greater premium on the value of pure disinterested work, than on eminence won from mere financial returns.