Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-07-17
10 yRg MEDICAL rRon4SSIoN OF IoYgR Va,


wish 10 call your attention the subject Of vErswh
view TO their equable adjustment and more certain
collection. Its well known by all who have praelsod me-
dcine In tho county, that the OF charges different
even In the same neghbcurhood; and that the collection OF
accounts ~ dependent much upon the cnprcc the
debtor APhyseans bill is not usually presented in less
man Twelve months after the service rendered. and then
disputed which very frequently the case the law offers
avery poor redress. Our Courts forget that an in
divduai IN empoyngs Physician virtually enters con.
tract with hun to Physicans charges and al
most invariably reduce the amount Of an account 20 OF 30
per cent say REGULAR changes, because some OF the
charges Of Physicians well determined upon--wbile
others left TO their discretion But Jury secs t in in
wisdom dock these changes as well as a other.
Other Professions and cangs have opportunity of set
ding definitely the amount TO be received previous 10 any
services rendered. and why should profession
prevented by circumstances from entering into regular
with the employer, be deprived Of fair rcmuncru
toni The expenses OF Physicians in acquiring their Edu
cation greater than those Of other Professions Their
previous Education, and general requirements should be
as extensive rs those OF the lawyer the teacher and the
Medical Education then becomes additional and very
heavy expense Their physical, and mental fatigue, and
responsibility far exceed those OF any other calling And
there can be no reason why their bills should be pre-
sented as early and collected certainly others.
The Medical Profession has il fully power to re.
dress these grievances. Let the Physicians in each dis
tict or County have regular annual meeting At these
meetings let certain rates be adopted and certain time de
erinned upon for presenting their bills. Should accounts
be disputed let them be brought before meetings and
found TO agree with tho adopted then let each PLY.
stefan refuse to attend the family of the dsputant until he
agrees to such bill Should any Physician refuse TO be
governed by these rates his brethren should decline assoca
ing with him professionally BY adopting this course the
patent would be protected from cxortion and the Prac
noner receive just remuneration for his services Quail
hcauon then alone would be the OF success and
he community be protected from those vho conscious Of
nienority, resort To undertaking obtain practice and
unfortunately both for the community and the Profession
ms class isbecoming too numerous And unless the Medi
cal froiession by cooperation protect ITSELF the Science Of
Medicine will soon be IN the hands of utterly incom
Petent to its practice. II steps soon taken
the practice {" Physie will be too precarous engage the
Df tala anil, IL
Profession will be given up those who like the under
bidders OF the present me will think their services Of
much value aud will be content with any they
can get II the people wish for able Physicians they must
PAY them knowledge of the Science can only be nc.
CURED by much abour, time, and expense and in many
cases 10y the sacrifice of health. Its practice at
tended with bodily abouI, exposure, mental abour and
annoying and harrassng feeling of responsibility.
have thus endeavoured to bring this matter to the con-
sideraton OF the Faculty, hoping that the prominent men,
beTs oil the Profession be aroused action and may
come forward support Of the above suggested
ormay be induced TO make others they may think better
calculated TO effect the same end.
Jury, lS43. ND