AUTHOR’S PREFACE.
Reading edition
The first chapter of the following work was composed in the spring of 1792, at the request of the Physicians and Surgeons of the Manchester Infirmary: and the substance of it constitutes the code of laws, by which the practice of that comprehensive institution is now governed. The Author was afterwards induced, by an earnest desire to promote the honour and advancement of his Profession, to enlarge the plan of his undertaking, and to frame a general system of Medical Ethics; that the official conduct and mutual intercourse of the Faculty might be regulated by precise and acknowledged principles of urbanity and rectitude. Printed copies of the scheme were therefore distributed amongst his numerous correspondents, by most of whom it was warmly encouraged, and by many of them was honoured with valuable suggestions for its improvement.
Whilst the Author was thus extending his views, and carrying on his work with ardour, he lost the strongest incentive to its prosecution, by the death of a beloved son[9], who had nearly completed the course of his academical education, and whose talents, acquirements, and virtues, promised to render him an ornament to the healing art. This melancholy event was followed, not many years afterwards, by a second family loss equally afflictive[10]; and the design has ever since been wholly suspended. The Author now resumes it, animated by the hope that it may prove beneficial to another son[11], who has lately exchanged the pursuits of general science at Cambridge, for the study of Medicine at Edinburgh. He feels at the same time impressed with the conviction that the languor of sorrow becomes culpable, when it obstructs the offices of an active vocation. “I hold every man,” says Lord Bacon[12], “a debtor to his profession; from the which as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavour themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto. This is performed in some degree by the honest and liberal practice of a profession, when men shall carry a respect not to descend into any course that is corrupt and unworthy thereof, and preserve themselves free from the abuses wherewith the same profession is noted to be infected: but much more is this performed if a man be able to visit and strengthen the roots and foundation of the science itself; thereby not only gracing it in reputation and dignity, but also amplifying it in profession and substance.”
It was the Author’s original intention to have treated of the powers, privileges, honours, and emoluments of the Faculty. But he now conceives that this would lead him into a field of investigation too wide and digressive; and therefore chooses to confine himself to what more strictly belongs to Medical Ethics.
To these institutes he has annexed an Anniversary Discourse, delivered by the late Rev. Thomas Bassnett Percival, LL.B., before the President and Governors of the Infirmary at Liverpool[13]. As it is an address to the gentlemen of the Faculty, the officers, the clergy, and the trustees of the charity, on their respective hospital duties, by one competent to the subject from his early studies, it cannot but be deemed sufficiently appropriate to the present work, exclusively of a father’s claim to the privilege of its insertion.
The aphoristic form of this code of Medical Ethics, though adapted to such an undertaking, forbids in a great measure all digression, and even precludes the discussion of many interesting points nearly connected with the subject. Supplementary Notes and Illustrations, therefore, are necessary to the completion of the Author’s plan: and he trusts the candid reader will grant him the liberty of thus stating his opinions more at large; of rectifying misconceptions, to which the brevity essential to the work may give rise; and of correcting whatever subsequent reflection, or the judicious observations of his friends, may discover to be erroneous.
A considerable portion of these sheets was communicated to the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, M.A.[14], whilst engaged in the composition of his “Enquiry into the Duties of Men,” a work that reflects the highest honour on the abilities and philanthropy of the author, and which may be justly regarded as the most complete system extant of practical ethics. The chapter concerning Physicians[15] contains a reference to these institutes, expressed in the most gratifying terms of friendship; and it treats so largely of the duties of the Faculty, as to seem, at first view, to supersede the use of the present manual. But the two publications differ not only in their plan, but in many of their leading objects; and it may be hoped they will rather illustrate than interfere with each other. The same remarks may be applied to the excellent “Lectures” of Dr. Gregory[16]. Even the “Statuta Moralia” of the College of Physicians[17], whatever merit or authority they possess, are not sufficiently comprehensive for the existing sphere of Medical and Chirurgical duty; and by the few regulations which they establish, they tacitly sanction the recommendation of a fuller and more adequate code of professional offices.
Copies of the former unfinished impression of this work have been transmitted to the libraries of several infirmaries in different parts of the kingdom; and the Author has reason to hope that they have contributed to excite attention to the subject of hospital police. Amongst other pleasing proofs of this truth, he refers with peculiar satisfaction to the late publications of his friends, Sir G. O. Paul, Bart., and Dr. Clark[18], of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
This work was originally entitled “Medical Jurisprudence;” but, some friends having objected to the term Jurisprudence, it has been changed to Ethics. According to the definition of Justinian, however, Jurisprudence may be understood to include moral injunctions as well as positive ordinances:—“Juris praecepta sunt haec; honeste vivere, alterum non laedere, suum cuique tribuere.” (Instit. i. 1. § 3.)
Manchester, Febr. 15, 1803.