The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-02-09

Of a physician. lis therefore secon
duty TO guard himself carefully in thi
respect, and TO avoid all things which hav
tendency to discourage the pa,ien, I'm,
10 deprcss his spirit.
5.sA physician should not abandos
oa,ieni because the case is deemed incura
bic; for his attendance may continue to b.
highly useful to the patient. and comfortin:
10 his relations arouodhim, even in the las
period Off fatal mall NV alternating pai,
and other symptoms, an by soothing men
iai anguish. To declidl attendance unde
such crcums' ances, would be sacrlfcin.
10 fancful dslicncy end mistaken liberali,,
tina, moral duty which is independent OF
aud far superior to al pseuniary consider
alton.
9. Consultations should be promoted il
difficult or protructed Cases, as they give
riss to confidence, energy and more on
Isrgsd views in practice.
Z. The opportunity which a physician
moi unfreqasntly enjoys Of promoting and
strengthening the gsod resolutions Of b..
patients, suffering under the consequence.
Of vicious conduct ought never To be neg
lected. liiscounse!s or even rel onstranees
will give satisfaction, not offence if they
are pronsred with politeness, aud erince a
genuine love Of virtue, accompanied by a
sincere interest in the welfare Of the per.
sou 10 whom they are addressed.
ARNlCLE II.
OBLIGATIONS OFPATIENT5 TO THEIR
PHYSICIANS.
1. The members OF the medical profes.
s'on, Upon who's" are enj ,ned tn. pei form.
sncs Of 90 many important and atduous
dutes towards tie community, and who
are required 10 make 90 many sacrifices of
comfort, ease and health, for the welfare
Of those who avail themselves OF their
services, certainly have right to expect
and require, that their psticnis should en-.
teriaIa q Just esnss OF the duties which
they owe 10 their medical attendants.
2. The first duty Of patton, is, to select
Tor his medical adviser. ono who has re.
seired regular professional education
In 10 trade or occupation, do mankind rely
On Tho skill Of M untaugh, artist; and in
medicine, coufessedly the m,a difficult and
IN rieais Of Sciences, the world ought no.
TO suppose that knowledge 10 intu,ive.
5. Patients should prefer physician,
" hose habits of life are regular, aad who
not devoted IL company pleasure or any
pafsui, Incompatible with his professional
obligations. A patient should also confije
he care Of hImsnlf aud family as much as
possible TO one ply sician, for medical
man who has become acquainted with the
pseulianliss Of constitution, habits aud
ptedi.pos,ion Of those he attends. is more
likely TO be successful in his treatment
than one who does not posses tina, know.
ledge. A patient who has thus selected
his physician should always nppiy for ad
wee IN what may appear to him trivial
cases, for the most fatal results often su
pefyene on the sIigh,es sccidenis. ls
.. SILL more importance that he should
apply Tor assistance in the forming stage
|oi stoieni disease; IL IL 10 a neglect Of this
|prscep, that medicine owes much Of the
uncertainty and impsifeeiion with which
i has been rcproachcd.
1. palienis should faithfully and unre
|seseJly communicate 10 their physician
The supposed cause Of their disease. This
IS The more important, rs many diseases Of
a mental origin stimulate those depending
Upon external causes, and ye, are only 10
be cured by minis.erlng to the miud Dis
sases. patient should never be afraid
|oi taus making his physician bis friend
end adviser he should always bear in
mind that a medical man 10 under The
strongest obligations Of secrecy. Even
he female sex should never allow feelings
|of shame or delicacy to prevent their die.
CLOSING the scat, symptoms and causes Of
|eomrlalnls peculiar 10 them. However
|conmendabe a mod, 81 reserve may be in
The common occurrences OF life, It's stric,
observance ia medicine 10 often attended
with the most serious consequences, aud
p pa',en, may sink under a painful and
'oalhsome disease, which might have been
|reaJily prevented. had timely in,imaiion
been given TO the physician.
,. A patient should never weary his
physician wi'h a tedious detail Of events OF
matters no. srperiaIning TO his disease -
Even as telses to his actual symptoms, he
Will convey much moro real Information by
giving clear answers 10 interroga ions, than
by tho most minu'e account Of his own
fcaming. Neither should lie ob,rude the
details Of his business, nor the history Of
is fam y concerns.
8. Obedience Of patient to tho pre-.
,cripiions Of his physician should be pfomp,
and implicit. lie should never permit his I
own crude opinions a. to their fitness
10 influence his attention TO them. A
failure in ons particular may render az
otherwise judcious treatment dangerous
and even fatal. This remark is equally |
applicable 10 diet, drink and exercise. As
|pa,snls become convnlcsccnt they are very |
|sp, to suppose that the rules prescribed
Tor them may be disregarded, and the eonso. !
|qleness bu, too often is 4 relapse. Patients
|saould mover allow themselves TO be per.