Editorials.

Conspicuous Incredulity.

Sir Frederick Treves, King Edward's physician, has predicted that some day "the people will leave off the extraordinary habit of taking medicine when they are sick." We are in hopes that the day will soon come when physicians will leave off the extraordinary habit of teaching their patients that medicine does not cure disease, and will adopt the habit of thoroughly studying remedies with reference to their precise action upon specific conditions of disease.

It is unfortunate that the study is a very hard one, and as it is a human trait to avoid hard work wherever possible, and accept that which will accomplish the same end without such hard work, so surgery is placed in the position that medicine should occupy, and receives attention, and humanity continues to suffer, not only from the effects of the disease, but in many cases from the results of the misdirected treatment.

Osler has made another remark recently. He is quoted as having said, "The observing doctor is he who has learned the worthlessness of medicine." It is a good thing for the suffering, common people that the everyday doctor is not as Sir Frederick Treves and Osler.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.