Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-07-27
From the whiy-By request
TO The Medical Profession of Lo,cer pa.

wish to call your attention to The subject of rEEs-
with aview to their more cqaaie Adjustment and more
certain collection. II is well known by all who have
pracscd medicine in the country that the of char
ges different, in the same neigiborhood; and
that the collection of accounts dependent very much
Upon the caprice OF the debtor. Physicians bin is
not usually presented in less than twelve months after
inc service rs rendered and then it disputed which is
very frequently the case, the law offers poor
dress Our Courts TO forget that individual in
employing Physician virtually enters into contract
with him to pay REGULAR Physicians charges, and al
most invariably reduce the of 90 80
per cent say REGULAR charges, because Of the
charges Of Physicians well determined nponwhilc
others left 10 their discretion. But jury fit in
its wisdom to dock these REGULAR charges well all
others. Other Professions and cangs have IAN opporu
nifty Of settling definitely the amount 10 be received pre-
Sous any services rendered. and why should pro-
iesson because by from enter
ing into regular agreement with the employer, be de-
prved Of fair remuneration? The expenses Of Physi-
clans acquiring their Education greater those
general requirements should be extensive those
the lawyer the teacher, and the Medical Education
Their physical and mental fatigue, and responsible
~ lar exceed those OF other calling And there
be why their bills should be presented as
early and collected certainly as any others.
The Medical Profession has il fully in its power to
dress these grievances Let the Physicians each dis
tri OF county have regular annual meeting Al these
determined upon for pr 8n,ing their bills should &C
be disputed let brought before these
ingsand il found agree with adopted then let
each refuse TO attend the family of the dspu
until he agrees pay such bill Should any Phy-
scan refuse to be by these rates his brethren
should decline associatng with him professionally. BY
adopting this course the patient would be protected
extortion, and tho practitioner receive ra-
ton for his services Qualification then alone would he
the measure OF success, and the community protected
from those who, conscious of nfcrory TO under
bidding to obtain practice and unfortunately for the
community and the Profession this class is becoming too
numerous. And unless the Medical Profession by CO.
operation protect itself, the Science of Medicine will
soon be in the hands of utterly incompetent to its
practice ii some steps not taken, the practice
of Physic will be prccarous engage the attention OF
men OF any talent and qualifications and the Profession
will be given up TO those who like the undcrbddcrs the
present timc will think their much value
ard will be content with any they can get
II the people wish for able Physicians they must pay
them knowledge OF the Science only be acquired
by much labour time and expense and in many by
the sacrifice OF health Its practice be attended
with bodily la6our exposure, mental abour, aud an
noying and harrassiug feeling Of responsibility.
have thus endcavorca to bring this the con-
alteration of the Faculty, hoping that the prominent
members OF the Profession may he action and
may come forward in support of the above sug
gestcd may be induced make others they may think
nj