美國國家醫生節（National Doctor's Day) 來曆

美國國家醫生節（National Doctor's Day) 來曆

 

今天是3月30日，也是美國國家醫生節（National Doctor's Day)。這一節日其實是與一位叫 Dr. Crawford Williamson Long (朗醫生， D. Long, November 1, 1815 – June 16, 1878) 醫生有關。他曾是美國外科醫生及藥學家。

 

 

1842年3月30日，美國喬治亞州（Georgia）的 Dr.  Long 在該州的叫Jefferson的地方，為一位年輕患者摘除頸部腫塊手術中成功實施了第一例乙醚全麻。從此需要手術的病人告別了因為疼痛而導致的恐懼。Dr. Charles Almond 的妻子Eudora Brown Almond 為了紀念這一成功，在喬治亞州推薦以3月30日作為慶祝日，第一個當地 (Winder, Georgia) 醫生節是1933年3月30日首次慶祝的，當時慶祝是給醫生及醫生家屬送賀卡及鮮花，以後便在該州延續使用下來。在接下數年裏，Dr. Long 用麻醉又做了許多手術，包括產科手術。然而他卻沒有把這些原創寫成論文發表。

 

他的工作直到1848年才被人們報道。曾經一段時間裏人們忘記了 Dr. Long 所做的這一史無前例的傑作。

 

其間，在1846年10月16日，莫頓醫生（Morton）在麻省總醫院施行的乙醚麻醉卻是世界首位在新聞媒體前公開施行乙醚麻醉的另一位美國麻醉醫生，人們誤認為莫頓是首創者，且在他的墓碑上寫道：“在他以前，手術是一種極大的痛苦；因為他，手術的疼痛被攻克；從他以後，科學戰勝了疼痛”。以致於在很多教科書裏，都是將Morton作為現代麻醉學的開端。

 

後來有人記起了真正第一位做麻醉手術的 Dr. Long，那還是1879年6月18日，當時國家全科醫生協會（National Eclectic Medical Association) 正式宣布Dr. Long 是第一位麻醉發現者。在美國這個尊重發明及專利的國家，在確認 Dr. Long 的確是第一位乙醚麻醉的施行人後，終於給 Dr.Long 撥亂反正了。並為他發行了一枚紀念郵票，隨後世界各地都有他的塑像，油畫，紀念碑。

 

 

後來他的家鄉喬治亞州又向國會提交議案，建議將他施行乙醚麻醉的這一天定為美國國家醫生節。

 

經國會參眾兩院通過後，由美國總統布什於1991年簽署總統令，每年3月30日這一天正式成為美國的國家醫生節（National Doctor’s Day）。

 

今年的醫生節，我們醫院為醫生提供免費早餐及午餐以示祝賀。

 

附：布什總統簽署關於醫生節的文件。

Origin of National Doctors' Day George Bush Proclamation 6253 - National Doctors Day, 1991 February 21 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation by President George Bush More than the application of science and technology, medicine is a special calling, and those who have chosen this vocation in order to serve their fellowman understand the tremendous responsibility it entails. Referring to the work of physicians, Dr. Elmer Hess, a former president of the American Medical Association, once wrote: "There is no greater reward in our profession than the knowledge that God has entrusted us with the physical care of His people. The Almighty has reserved for Himself the power to create life, but He has assigned to a few of us the responsibility of keeping in good repair the bodies in which this life is sustained." Accordingly, reverence for human life and individual dignity is both the hallmark of a good physician and the key to truly beneficial advances in medicine. The day-to-day work of healing conducted by physicians throughout the United States has been shaped, in large part, by great pioneers in medical research. Many of those pioneers have been Americans. Indeed, today we gratefully remember physicians such as Dr. Daniel Hale Williams and Dr. Charles Drew, who not only advanced their respective fields but also brought great honor and pride to their fellow Black Americans. We pay tribute to doctors such as Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk, whose vaccines for poliomyelitis helped to overcome one of the world's most dread childhood diseases. We also recall the far-reaching humanitarian efforts of Americans such as Dr. Thomas Dooley, as well as the forward-looking labors of pioneers such as members of the National Institutes of Health, who are helping to lead the Nation's fight against AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases. These and other celebrated American physicians have enabled mankind to make significant strides in the ongoing struggle against disease. However, in addition to the doctors whose name we easily recognize, there are countless others who carry on the quite work of healing each day in communities throughout the United States -- indeed, throughout the world. Common to the experience of each of them, from the specialist in research to the general practitioner, are hard work, stress, and sacrifice. All those Americans who serve as licensed physicians have engaged in years of study and training, often at great financial cost. Most endure long and unpredictable hours, and many must cope with the conflicting demands of work and family life. As we recognize our Nation's physicians for their leadership in the prevention and treatment of illness and injury, it is fitting that we pay special tribute to those who serve as members of the Armed Forces and Reserves and are now deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. Whether they carry the tools of healing into the heat of battle or stand duty at medical facilities in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, these dedicated physicians -- along with thousands of nurses and other medical personnel -- are ital to the success of our mission. We salute them for their courage and sacrifice, and we pray for their safety. We also pray for all those who come in need of their care. In honor of America's physicians, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 366 (Public Law 101-473), has designated March 30, 1991, as "National Doctors Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 30, 1991, as National Doctors Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH Citation: John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters,The American Presidency Project [online]. Santa Barbara, CA: University of California (hosted), Gerhard Peters (database). Available from World Wide Web: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=47267.