The doctor in the pulpit

It has been said that the medical profession is the priesthood of a scientific age. At the present day the doctor has largely taken the place of the confessor, and in one way or another he preaches as much as most parsons. But he has not yet begun to any extent to “wag his pow” in a pulpit. From the confessional to the pulpit, however, is but a step, and this step, as we learn from the Surrey Mirror, has recently been taken. On Sunday, June 11th, in All Saints' Church, South Merstham, after the ordinary service of evening prayer, Dr. J. E. Usher, by invitation of the rector, preached what was virtually a sermon on the “Gospel of Cleanliness.” His homily was full of sensible advice as to the importance of a free use of air, light, and water. Greatly daring, he denounced the ladies who, in their jealous care of their carpets, shut out light and air from their rooms. He had also something to say in condemnation of excessive indulgence in the cup that cheers but not inebriates. If it does not “inebriate,” Dr. Usher told his audience it does worse, for it is responsible for part of the increase of insanity which is overtaxing the provision available for the safe custody of lunatics. The ladies were further admonished as to the importance in regard to domestic happiness of “feeding the beast.” A bad cook is a causa teterrima belliin the household, an old truth which has quite recently received fresh illustration in the Divorce Court. Altogether Dr. Usher's sermon in South Merstham Parish Church may be taken as an indication of the greater importance which people are coming to attach to public health. It will be interesting to see if the example set by the rector is followed in other parishes. The doctor in the pulpit will do well to stick closely to his text and, like Mark Antony to speak only of that which he knows. (BMJ1899;i:1549)