慶祝美國國家醫生節

by 風城黑鷹

在新冠大流行一周年後的首個"美國國家醫生節"之際, 向所有的醫生們表示感謝, 致敬！

節日快樂！

自1991年老布什總統簽署生效後，每年3月30日就成了美國國家醫生節（National Doctor's Day)。這一節日起初是怎麽來的呢？其實是與一位叫朗醫生有關, 朗醫生當時是美國外科醫生及藥物學家。

(Dr. Crawford Williamson Long ， Dr. Long, November 1, 1815 – June 16, 1878)

話得說回到1842年3月30日，美國喬治亞州（Georgia）的一個叫傑弗遜（Jefferson）的地方，那天Dr. Long成功地為一位年輕患者摘除了頸部腫塊，手術中成功實施了人類曆史上第一例乙醚全麻。從前病人常常因手術中無鎮痛而不敢做手術，醫生也因為不能保持術中病人安靜而影響手術效果。此後需要手術的病人告別了因為疼痛而導致的恐懼。

 

為了紀念這一麻醉手術的成功，查爾斯阿爾蒙得醫生（Dr. Charles Almond ）的妻子Eudora Brown Almond 在喬治亞州建議以3月30日作為慶祝日，於是，第一個醫生節是1933年3月30日在當地名叫溫德 (Winder, Georgia) 的地方首次慶祝的，當時慶祝的方式是給醫生及醫生家屬送賀卡及鮮花，以後這種慶祝便在喬治亞州州延續使用下來。

在接下幾年中，朗醫生用麻醉又做了很多手術，包括一些產科手術。因為是臨床醫生，所以他沒有把這些原創手術方法寫成論文發表。

直到1848年，朗醫生的工作才被人們報道。曾經一段時間裏人們忘記了朗醫生為人類所做的這一史無前例的貢獻。

有趣的是，在1846年10月16日，莫頓醫生（Morton） 在麻省總醫院實施了一例乙醚麻醉手術， 這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，人們誤認為莫頓醫生是乙醚麻醉首創者，人們在莫頓醫生墓碑上寫道：“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， 都是將莫頓醫生作為現代麻醉學的開山鼻祖。

後來有人記起了真正第一位做麻醉手術的 Dr. Long。那還得追朔到1879年6月18日，當時美國國家全科醫生協會（ National Ecectic Medical Association) 正式宣布追認Dr. Long 為首位在人類手術中使用乙醚麻醉的人。

好在美國是一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者後，人們終於給朗醫生撥亂反正了。並為他發行了一枚紀念郵票， 隨後世界各地都建有他的塑像，油畫，紀念碑以示對先行著念的記念與崇敬。

 

 

後來就在上世紀90年代初某時，朗醫生的家鄉喬治亞州議員向國會提交了一項議案， 建議國家將他施行乙醚麻醉的這一天， 即3月30日定為美國國家醫生節。

這一議案在國會參眾兩院通過後，由美國總統老布什於1991年簽署了總統令（見英文附件）。從此， 每年3月30日這一天正式成為美國國家醫生節（ National Doctor’s Day）。

2021年的醫生節，是新冠大流行一周年後的第一個，我們醫院繼續保留我們的傳統， 在3月30日這天，為醫生提供免費早餐及午餐以示祝賀。不同的是，今年不能聚在一起吃自助餐，隻能每人拿走一袋包裝好的餐包。

 

附：老布什總統簽署關於醫生節的文件。

Proclamation 6253—National Doctors Day, 1991 February 21, 1991

 

By the President of the United States of America                              A Proclamation 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 vital 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