CHAPTER VII. MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PRACTITIONER. This journal, now in its twenty-fifth year, came into existence because there was a need a quarter of a century ago, of a periodical that would serve as a medium of intercourse among the members of the medical profession of Southern California. Its quarter of a century of useful existence has more than justified its reason for being, and it may be safely asserted that there have been few, if any, agencies that have worked so greatly for the unification of the profession in Southern California as has this medical publication, which has appeared without lapse every month for the last twenty-five years. Its founders were Drs. J. P. Widney, Walter Lindley and Joseph Kurtz. The spirit of its first editorials has been that which has dominated its career throughout, and as presenting the view point of the leaders of the profession of this region a quarter of a century ago, it may be interesting to quote somewhat from several editorials of the first three issues of the magazine. From the Salutatory, we take the following: "The question may be asked, Why add one more to the long list of medical journals? The answer is the old, stale one, which has probably ushered in the birth of many a similar publication, because we feel that for this journal there is a field and a work. "Of journals devoted to the science of medicine in general, there are probably already enough. Of journals devoted to the wants and the local peculiarities of the different climatic belts of America, there will only be enough when every such climatic belt is represented. A reference to the opening article of this number, The Anglo-Teuton in a New Home, will show what some of the race questions are for the climatic belt embracing this southwestern portion of America. The article is the first of a series upon similar topics. It is expected to make this line of investigation an especial feature of the journal, and to take up and carefully discuss the climatic peculiarities of the different sections distinctively known as Southern California, and of the great inland plateau embracing Arizona, New Mexico and the elevated part of the Mexican interior, a region already widely known throughout the East and in Europe for its salubrity. It is the expectation of the editors to secure carefully-prepared articles from the different portions of this belt descriptive of local peculiarities of climate and disease, for while certain climatic features are common to the whole, local variations and peculiarities are at many points strongly marked, and should be carefully considered before selecting a home for invalids or healthseekers. Carefully-prepared original articles upon medical and surgical topics will be sought and published, especially those of a practical character. It is hoped also to make this journal a means of still more closely uniting the medical profession of Southern California. "Distance, rugged intervening mountains, and entirely diverse commercial and industrial interests, which are making of California two separate and distinct sections, have also, in a great measure, prevented a close union of the medical profession. Southern California has developed its own intellectual life and its own educational system. We believe the time has come for the establishment of its own medical journals and societies. "It is with no feeling of jealous rivalry, therefore, toward the journals of the upper portion of the State that we enter upon our work, but because we feel that the field is broad and our roads are different. In this spirit, we send greetings to our brethren of the north." From the second editorial on "What Medical Men Should Write," equally entertaining knowledge may be derived: "It has been said that a man never really knows a thing until he can tell it. The statement would be much more correct if it were that a man never really knows a thing until he can write it, for many a hazy, ill-understood and illdefined idea daily passes muster in speech, the weakness of which would be detected in a moment if written. Nothing so conduces to accuracy of thought and clearness of expression as the habit of writing. "The effect upon the mind of much writing is seen in the members of the legal profession, a profession noted for the exactness of its mental work. Here the work of the profession is largely done in writing, and to the mental training thus given may be attributed much of the preponderating influence of the gentlemen of the law in public affairs. They simply are the men most trained to accurate thought. "The number of physicians who make a practice of writing upon topics. pertaining to their profession is much smaller than it should be. "The ideal state of the profession would be with every physician a writer, at least every one in active practice; for every man who takes the responsibility of human life upon his hands should neglect no means of educating himself for the conscientious and successful practice of his high calling, and the habit of thinking upon paper is possibly of all means the most productive in solid results. This part of the professional work should not be left to the professors in medical colleges, or to men of literary taste. If they only were allowed to treat disease there might be some reason in it, but when all men in the active work of the profession must take daily upon themselves this responsibility, they have no moral right to neglect any means of education. "What shall a physician write about? "His own work. His own locality. These are his fields. He need not wait for some strange, seldom-heard-of case. While such cases do happen, they belong rather to the curiosities of medical and surgical literature than to the practical, every-day work of the physician's life. A plain, carefully studied, carefully reported case of phthisis, or of fracture of one of the large bones will be of more profit to both writer and reader than an article upon morbus Addisonii or ligature of the common carotid. "A carefully and accurately compiled original report upon the topographical and climatic features of any locality will be of far more value than an ambitious article upon the yellow fever microbe, which, from the pen of an ordinary practitioner, can be only copied from the writings of those who are making this line of investigation a specialty. "How shall he write? "In the plainest and shortest of Anglo-Saxon English. The busy man of any profession wants the facts and the logic, not the embellishment and rhetoric. The day for the stilted Latinized English of Milton and Johnson is gone, never to return to the English-speaking peoples. And so in science. While scientific and technical phraseology has its proper place and is indispensable within that place, many a medical and surgical article is loaded down with an ultra technical jargon which is simply barbarous. Such a style does not necessarily show knowledge. The editorial chair has in mind one such book upon its shelves, a recent work upon nervous diseases, which is such a bewildering medley of defective English, bad Latin, worse French and newly coined so-called scientific terms especially manufactured by the author to help out the combined poverty of these tongues, that to open its pages fairly makes the hair of a modest, quiet linguist stand erect. "Dear friends, beware of the too utterly utter, and read Job xxxvii :2. "When shall he write? "Not simply when the spirit moves him, or some divine afflatus breathes upon him. The spirit is apt to cease moving one to write as cares and practice and money accumulate. It is better to let the sense of duty be the moving spirit. And it is a duty that he should pay back into the common fund of medical knowledge some small portion of the debt for that which he received, and should cease to be only a species of professional sponge, ever absorbing, never producing. And so shall he not only pay his debt, but shall also grow in mental stature and professional power. "And when he has written, What then? "Then re-write. Condense. Strike out. Clear up the ambiguities. Erase the long word and use a shorter if it will express the idea. And when he can improve no more pick out the best and send it to a medical journal for publication. And above all let him remember that what is written carelessly and hurriedly is generally of little worth; and also remember that no man can afford, for his own sake, to have published what he has carelessly prepared." The names of the editors who have guided the career of the Practitioner in the years intervening since its founding are as follows: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PRACTITIONER. Volume 1, 1886. ter Lindley. ter Lindley. Editors: Dr. J. P. Widney, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. Wal Editors:-Dr. J. P. Widney, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. Wal Volume 3, 1888. Editors: Dr. J. P. Widney, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. Walter Lindley; April, 1888, Dr. F. L. Haynes. Volume 4, 1889. Editors: Dr. J. P. Widney, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. F. L. Haynes. September, 1889. Editor:-H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. F. L. Haynes, Dr. W. D. Babcock, A.M. Volume 5, 1890. Editor:-II. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. F. L. Haynes, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. F. D. Bullard. Volume 6, 1891. Editor: H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz. Dr. F. D. Bullard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock. Volume 7, 1892. Editor:-II. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. F. D. Bullard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock. Volume 8, 1893. Editor:-H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. F. D. Bullard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock. Volume 9, 1894. Editors:-II. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D., F. D. Bullard, A.M., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. H. G. Brainard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock. Volume 10, 1895. Editors: H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D., F. D. Bullard, A.M., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. II. G. Brainard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. Rose T. Bullard, Dr. Carl Kurtz. Volume 11, 1896. Editors:-H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D., F. D. Bullard, A.M., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. H. G. Brainard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. Rose T. Bullard, Dr. Carl Kurtz. Volume 12, 1897. Editors:-II. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D., F. D. Bullard, A.M., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. H. G. Brainard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. Rose T. Bullard, Dr. Carl Kurtz, Dr. E. A. Praeger. Volume 13, 1898. Editors:-H. Bert Ellis, B.A., M.D., F. D. Bullard, A.M., M.D.; Associates:-Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. H. G. Brainard, Dr. F. A. Seymour, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. Walter Lindley, Dr. E. A. Praeger, Dr. Rose T. Bullard, Dr. Carl Kurtz, Dr. Granville MacGowan. Volume 14, 1899. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. George L. Cole, July 1899. Assistant Editor and Business Manager, Dr. C. G. Stivers; Collaborators:-Dr. C. L. Bard, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. F. D. Bullard, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. A. L. Macleish, Dr. M. L. Moore, Dr. E. W. Fleming, Dr. S. P. Black, Dr. Norman Bridge, Dr. R. T. Bullard, Dr Carl Kurtz, Dr. C. W. Murphy, Dr. Ralph Williams, Dr. W. L. Wills, Dr. W. Burke, Dr. H. G. Brainard, Dr. W. J. Barlow, Dr. W. W. Hitchcock, Dr. Milbank Johnson, Dr. G. MacGowan, Dr. W. W. Beckett, Dr. F. C. Shurtleff. Volume 15, 1900. Editor: Walter Lindley, M.D.; Assistant Editor:-Dr. C. G. Stivers; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole; Collaborators :Dr. C. L. Bard, Dr. W. D. Babcock, Dr. F. D. Bullard, Dr. Joseph Kurtz, Dr. A. L. Macleish, Dr. M. L. Moore, Dr. E. W. Fleming, Dr. S. P. Black, Dr. Norman Bridge, Dr. R. T. Bullard, Dr. Carl Kurtz, Dr. C. W. Murphy, Dr. R. Williams, Dr. W. L. Wills, Dr. W. Burke, Dr. H. G. Brainerd, Dr. W. J. Barlow, Dr. W. W. Hitchcock, Dr. Milbank Johnson, Dr. G. MacGowan, Dr. W. W. Beckett, Dr. F. C. Shurtleff, Dr. L. G. Visscher. Volume 16, 1901. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editor. -Dr. C. G. Stivers; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole. Volume 17, 1902. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editor:-Dr. C G. Stivers; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole; Dr. F. M. Potten. ger, Assistant Editor. Volume 18, 1903. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editor:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole. Volume 19, 1904. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editor:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole. Volume 20, 1905. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editor:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole. Volume 21, 1906. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editors:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger, Dr. George H. Kress; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole, Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow. Volume 22, 1907. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editors:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger, Dr. George H. Kress; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole, Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow. Volume 23, 1908. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editors:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger, Dr. George H. Kress, Dr. John W. Flinn; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole, Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow. Volume 24, 1909. Editor:-Dr. Walter Lindley; Assistant Editors:-Dr. F. M. Pottenger, Dr. George H. Kress, Dr. John W. Flinn; Associates:-Dr. H. Bert Ellis, Dr. Geo. L. Cole, Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow. Volume 25, 1910. Editor -Dr. Walter Lindley; Associate Editors :-Dr. George H. Kress, Dr. John W. Flinn; Assistant Editors, Dr. H. Bert. Ellis, Dr. W. Jarvis Barlow, Dr. George L. Cole, Dr. F. M. Pottenger. LOS ANGELES POLYCLINIC. The first number of this publication, which was intended to be a monthly journal of medicine and surgery and the allied sciences, came off the press in June, 1895, under the editorship of Drs. J. F. T. Jenkins and A. Davidson, and having as collaborators the staff of the Los Angeles Polyclinic. The Polyclinic existed for some fifteen months, and the publication was then discontinued. LOS ANGELES MEDICAL JOURNAL. The Los Angeles Medical Journal first appeared November 15, 1903, under the editorship of Ernest S. Pillsbury, M. D., of Los Angeles, and was stated to be a monthly journal devoted to medicine, surgery, dentistry, hospital and nursing. Subsequently Dr. Charles B. Nichols became editor, and in 1906 the late James P. Boothe, M. D., assumed the editorship. The last number of this publication was issued in March, 1909, at which time it was merged into the California Medical and Surgical Reporter. CALIFORNIA MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORTER. This is a monthly journal of medicine and surgery brought into existence by the late Charles P. Wagar, M. D., the first number appearing in January, 1905. Since his death in June, 1908, it has been published under the supervision of M. L. G. Wagar as managing editor. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. This publication, which is herewith placed in the hands of the reader, owed its origin to Mr. M. A. Raines, who persuaded Dr. George H. Kress to write an historical sketch and Dr. Walter Lindley an introduction for the work. While the book was being compiled, Mr. Raines' home was burned to the ground and much of the manuscript was lost. An accident at the printer's destroyed a considerable amount more. In the meantime, Mr. Raines fell heir to an estate of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in England and lost no time in returning to that country. Under these circumstances the Times Job Office took over the responsibilities of the publisher, the book being gotten into form and completed as far as was possible by the editor. Be its defects as they may, and of course in a work of this kind many could be pointed out, the volume has at least served the purpose of gathering together a somewhat interesting array of historical and biographical data, which to those of a succeeding generation may not be without some value, as we hope they will be of interest to its present readers. American Encyclopedia. BIBLIOGRAPHY. Publications of the Southern California Historical Society. Southern California Practitioner. Miscellaneous Pamphlets. |