The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-03-14
Miscellaneous,
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS.

or the great number to whom il has been nv pain
full professional dut, TO have administered in the last
hours of their lives, have sometimes Eel; surprised
that so few appeared reluctant to 20 to sthe undis-
covered country from whose borno no traveller re-
turns" Many, we may easily suppose have man
Tested this willingness TO die, from Impotence of
suffering, or from that inpnssve difference which il
sometimes the result Of debility and extreme bodily
exhaustion. But have those who have arriv-
ed at fearless contemplation Of the future from
faith in the doctrine which our religion teaches.
Such men were not only calm and supported, but
even cheerful. in the hour Of death; aud never
quilted such sick chamber without wish that smy
last end might be like theirs.''
Some, indeed, have chung to life anxiously-pain-
fully; but they not influenced 80 much by
love o. life for its sake as BY the distressing pros
pect Of enving children, dependant uponthem 10 the
mercy of the world, deprived Of their paternal
These, indeed, have sometimes wruDg my
heart
And here you will forgive me, perhaps, if pre-
sumo to state what appears TO TO he the conduct
proper to be observed by physician in withholding
or making his patient acquainted with, his opinion
Of the probable issue of n muady manfesting mortal
symptoms own think it my first duty to protract
his life by practicable means, and TO nterpose my
eIfbctween him and everything which may possibly
aggravate his danger. unless shall have found him
not doing what was necessary in aid crmy remedies,
from want of proper OF his perous situation,
forbear to step out Of the DO unds Of my province in
order to offer any advice which is not necessary
promote his cure. At the time think il in
dspensable to let his friends know the danger ofhs
case the instant diocover it-An arrangement OF
his worldly affairs, in which the comfort unhapp-
ness Of those who are to come after him is involved,
may be necessary and suggestion of his danger, by
which the plishmen Of this object is to be OBJ
tained naturally induces a contemplation of his more
important spiritual concerns, careful review Of his
past life, and such sincere and conriion FOR
what he has done amiss, as nstites our humble hope
of his pardon and acceptance hereafter If friends
do their good offices at proper time, and under
The suggestions of the physician, is far better that
they should undertake them than The medical adviser
They do so without destroyin his hopes, for the
patient will still believe that he has appeal to his
ply stefan beyond their fears; whereas if the phys
clan lay open his danger TO him, however delicatey
he may do this, he risk Of appearing to pro-
nounce sentence of condem nation TO DEATH against
which there is no appea!--no hope; and, that
oouni, what is most awful to think of, perhaps the
sick mans repentance may be less available.
But friends may be absent, and nobody near the pa
lien in his extremity, Of sufficient influence or Preen
sion to inform him Of his dangerous condition. And
surely it is lanentabe TO think that any human being
should leave the world unprePared to meet his Gre
aor and Judge, ''with all his crimes broad blown!''
Il ather than so, have departed from any st'ct pro-
fessional duty, aud have done that which would
have done BY myself. and have apprized my patient
of the great change he Wa about to underso.-S'r
Henry HaLford, M. ID.