OF
CHRONIC OR LINGERING DISEASES.
For many years the founder of the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute and World's Dispensary has devoted himself very closely to the investigation and treatment of chronic diseases. Some few specifics have, during this time, been developed for certain forms of chronic ailments, and given to the public, but they have not been lauded as "cure-alls," or panaceas, but only recommended as remedies for certain well-defined and easily recognized forms of disease. These medicines are sold through druggists very largely, and have earned great celebrity for their many cures. So far from claiming that these proprietary medicines will cure all diseases, their manufacturers advise the afflicted that, in many complicated and delicate chronic affections, they are not sufficient to meet the wants of the case. These must have special consideration and treatment by a competent physician and surgeon, the medicines and other remedial means required being selected and prepared with reference to each particular case.
In order to be able to offer those afflicted with chronic ailments the most skillful medical and surgical services, Dr. Pierce, many years ago, associated with himself several eminent physicians and surgeons, as the Faculty of the old and renowned World's Dispensary, the consulting Department of which is now merged with the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute.
DIVISION OF LABOR.
In the organization of the medical and surgical staff of the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, several years ago, we assigned to one physician the examination and treatment of diseases of the nervous system; to another, surgical operations and the treatment of surgical diseases; a third had charge of catarrhal and pulmonary diseases and affections of the heart; a fourth attended to diseases peculiar to women; a fifth, to diseases of the eye and ear; a sixth, to diseases of the digestive organs; a seventh, to special surgical cases; to another we entrusted diseases of the urogenital organs; and to others, various other specialties. Now that our practice has become so very extensive as to require for its conduct a greatly increased number of physicians and surgeons. Thus four physicians and surgeons devote their undivided attention to the examination and treatment of diseases of the urinary and generative organs of men. Three physicians give their sole attention to diseases peculiar to women and three to those of the nasal organs, throat and chest, embracing all chronic diseases of the respiratory organs. Thus we have a full council of three and four physicians in these several specialties. In several other divisions we have two specialists. No case is slighted either in the examination or in the treatment. All doubtful, obscure or difficult cases are submitted to a council composed of several physicians and surgeons. Skilled pharmaceutists are employed to compound the medicines prescribed. For the purpose of enabling us to conduct our extensive correspondence (for we have an extensive practice en every part of the United States and Canada, as well as in Great Britain from our London branch), graphophones are employed, to which replies are dictated, recording the words of the speaker. Afterwards the letters are written out in full, generally on a type-writing machine, which prints them in a plain, legible style. These machines are operated as rapidly as a person can think of the letters which compose a word, each operator thus accomplishing the work of several copyists. This system, by which we are enabled to correspond with our patients as rapidly as we can talk, has been rendered necessary by the growth of our business, which has attained immense proportions, giving rise to so large a correspondence that a dozen physicians cannot possibly conduct it all and give each patient's case careful attention, without the employment of graphophones and all other facilities which modern invention has given us. By the adoption of these various means, we are enabled to fully meet the demands of the afflicted, and give every case the most careful attention.
As many persons, particularly young ladies and gentlemen, having catarrh or almost any other chronic disease, especially if of the urogenital organs, are very sensitive and fearful that somebody will know that they are afflicted and employing medical treatment, precautions are taken that none who consult us may incur the least risk of exposure. Although none but the most honorable and trustworthy gentlemen are employed as assistants, yet as a guarantee of perfect security to our patients, that every communication, whether made in person or by letter, will be treated as sacredly confidential, each professional associate, clerk, or assistant, is required to take a solemn oath of secrecy. Great care is also taken to send all letters and medicines carefully sealed in plain envelopes and packages, so that no one can even suspect the contents or by whom they are sent.