Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-11-04
PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS.

The wisdom and importance of the following
suggestions, adopted by the National Medical Con-
ventions of 1867, have struck us so forcibly
that we transfer them to our columns
Ofthe Duties of Physicians to their Patients and
ofhe Obligations Of Patients 10 their Physi-
clans.
ART. I.--DuTIEs or PHYSICIANS TO THEIR PATIENTS.
physician should only be ready to obey the
calls of the sick, but his mind ought also be mbued with
the greatness Of his mission, and the responsibility he hab
uay ncurs in its discharge. Those obligations the
deep and enduring, because there tribunal other than
his conscience adudge penalties for caelesspess
neglect Physicians should, therefore, minister to the sick
with due impression Of the importance of their office reflect
that the ease, the health, and the lives of those committed
their charge depend their skill attention, and fidelity.
They should study also, in their department, unite ten
daess with rness, and eondescenson with authority
TO inspire the minds OF the patients with gratitude, respect
and confidence.
3 Every committed the charge Of physician should
be treated with attention., steadness, and humanity Rea-
sonabe indulgence should be granted mental imbecy
and capces of the sick Secrecy and delcacy when re-
qued by peculiar circumstances should be strictly observed
and the familiar and confidential intercourse which phys
clans admitted in their professional visits should be used
with disceton and with the scrupuious regard to fde
iy and honor The obligation OF secrecy extends beyond
the period OF professional services OF the prvacies OF
personal and domestic life inrmy of disposition flaw
OF character observed during professional attendance should
be dyulged by him except when he nperatively
qufed do The force and necessity of this obligation
indeed great that professional have, under
tain circumstances, been protected their observance Of
crecy by courts Of justice
3. Frequent visits the sick general requisite since
they enable the physician TO arrive at perc. know
ledge of the disease promptly every chsnce which
may occur and also tend preserve the confidence Of the
tent But unnecessary be avoided they give
useless anxiety the patient tend to diminish the authority
OF the physician, and render him liable to be suspected of
terested motives! ...'.
a. A physician should not be forward to make gloomy
representations, because they Of enpcsm by megni
flying the importance of his services in the cure
of the disease but he should fail proper occasions
give 10 the friends of the patient timely notice OF danger when
really occurs, and 10 the patient himself If absolutely
necessary. This Office, however peculiarly alarming
when executed by him that ought to be declined whenever
can be assigned any other person Of sufficient judgment
and deicacy for the physician should be the minister of hope
and comfort TO the sick, that by such cordas 10 the dropping
spirit he may soohe the bed of DEATH revive expiring life and
counteact the depressing influence Of those maades which
often disturb the nquty of the resigned in their last
moments The lie OF sick person be shortened not
only by the acts but also by the words the of
physician Il is therefore, sacred duty to guard himself
carefully in this respect and to avoid all things which have
tendency discourage the patient and to depess his spirit
5. physician ought abandon patient because the
is deemed ncuabe for his attendance may sonnue
be highly useful to the patient and comforting to the relatives
around him, in the last period of fatal maady by al
eV!aHS pain ana oIer symptoms, ana by soog mental an-
gush 10 decline attendance, under such circumstances
would be sacrificing to ancfu decacy and mistaken beal
y that moral duty which independent Of and far superior
10 all pecuniary consideration.
6. Consultations should be promoted in difficult pro-
acted cases. they give rise confidence energy, and
enlarged views in practice.
z. The opportunity which physician unfrequenly
enjoys OF promoting and strengthening the good resolutions
Of his patients, suffering under the consequences Of vicious
conduct, ought to be neglected His counse
responsiveness, will give satis!acon offence if they be
prced with poeness and evince genuine love Of virtue,
accompanied by sincere interest the welfare Of the
to whom they are addressed.
Ant. H.-OBLIs .rIoSs OF PATIENTS TO PHYSICIANS.
l. The members of the medical profession upon whom
enoned the performances of many important and arduous
duties towards the community, and who required maks
many sacrifices Of comfort and health for the welfare
Of those who avail themselves of their services certainly have
right expect ard require that their patients should
tain just OF the duties which they their medc
attendants.
2 The first duty of patient is select his medical ad
wiser who has received regular professional education
In trade occupation do mankind rely the skill OF
untsugh artist and in medicine, confesedy the most dcul
aLd intricate Of the sciences the world ought to suppose
that knowledge is intuitiye.
g. Patients should prefer physician whose habits Of l
regular and who is devoted company pleasure,
any pursuit. incompatible with his professional obligations
patient should also confde himself and family, much
possible, to the of physician for medical MAI
who has become acquainted with the psculaes Of cousu
ton, habits and predspositions Of those he attends is
likely to be successful in his treatment than who does
| possess the kno wedge.
patient who has thus selected his physician should al
ways apply for advice in wha. may appear him trivial
for The most fatal results oen superyene the slightest acct
dents. IL is OF still importance that he should apply 70
assistance in the forming stage Of violent diseases it
neglect Of this precept that medicine much Of the
anty and impeecton with which has been approached
4. Patients should faithfully and unreservedy communi
to their physician the supposed Of their disease
This is the important many diseases Of mental or
gin simulate those depending external causes, and yet
only 10 be cured Ivy mDisteng the mind diseased pa
tent SHOULD never be afraid OF thus making his physician h
friend and adviser. He should always bear in mind that
medical man under the strongest obligations OF
Even the female should allow feelings OF shame
decGcy 10 prevent their disclosing the seat symptoms
Of complaints peculiar them However commend
able modest may be in the
lille, its stc, observance in medicine is often attended with tn
most serious consequences, and patient may sink under
bancfu and oahsome disease which might have been readily
prevented had timely nmaon been given 10 the physician
5. psiicn, should weary his physician with ted
Gus detail OF events matters appenng TO his disease
Even as relates to his actual symptoms he will convey muc
more real information by giving clear TO iueogac
cs than by the most minute accoun! Of his own framing
Neither should he obude the details Of his business th
history Of his family concerns.
s. Tie obedience Of patient the prescriptions Of nj
physician should be prompt and implicit. lie should nevc
permit his crude opinions their fitness nfucnc
his attention 10 them. A failure in particular may rem
der otherwise udccus Treatment dangerous and fatal
This remark is equally applicable Diet drink aud exercise
As patients become convaeceut they apt 10 sup
pose that the rulcs prescribed for them may be deaae