The present state of medicine in Sheffield : an introductory address delivered at the Sheffield School of Medicine, October 1st, 1866 / by J.H. Aveling.

  • Aveling, J. H. (James Hobson), 1828-1892.
Date:
[1866?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The present state of medicine in Sheffield : an introductory address delivered at the Sheffield School of Medicine, October 1st, 1866 / by J.H. Aveling. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    io sometimes. 1 fancy you meet with a crumb of gratitude now and then, or a morsel of satisfaction at having safely piloted a difficult case out of the storm of disease into the harbour of health. But how often do you find that the said bread is entirely consumed and nothing returned to you, or if anything, only a small sour crust of indifference. I suspect people have received advice gratis so long, that they have begun to look upon it as a right, and not as a boon deserving the deepest gratitude and thanks. We do not ask for money from the poor, but an expression of thankfulness cheers us and helps us on in the good work. I fear this inappreciation of medical services is not confined to the lower classes. After the Bradfield inun¬ dation five medical gentlemen volunteered their assistance and acted as a sanitary committee. They spent a great deal of time, and underwent considerable fatigue in visiting from house to house the whole of the inundated district lying between Brightside andMalin Bridge. They inspected and reported constantly to the executive committee what they found wrong, and suggested proper remedies. The work thus performed was doubtless the cause of preventing the increase of the fever which at one time threatened to become general. In filthy back yards and muddy cellars these gentlemen encountered nuisances many of which had existed long before the flood. The work was neither easy nor pleasant. Surely the thanks of the town were due to them, yet when the general committee held irs last meeting, and all the committees had thanks voted to them, the Sanitary Committee was passed over in silenee. This state of things is not very encouraging. It makes one doubt almost whether we are right in doing so much for nothing. People receive our services as they do the light of the sun. If they were withdrawn for a time perhaps they would be better appreciated.