Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-08-01
Medical Etiauette.

The medical profession has its rules Ever,
profession has lie rules. Perhaps in the long run
Il IL better to have them than not. But the pub
lie have long been persuaded that great many
persons are,kiled by reason of the etiquette oil
the medical profession Possibly more would bs
killed but for this etiquette. That, however, We
cannot prove. and know nothing about, while
we do know that the etiquette results fatally
sometimes Tho Ftitchard case, In Glasgow
affords new example DE- Pritchard has been
con yctcd of the murder ot his wiies mother aud
OF his wife Mrs. Taylor. the mother. died first
and suddenly -poisoned,i 10 now seems, by acoute
Mrs. Pritchatd died slowly, poisoned by anthony
A yhvsician was called In by Dr. Pritchard fof
consultation, while Mrs TAYLOR was diving, and
also saw Mrs Prichard This physician, Dr.
James Patterson, an eminent practitioner In
Glasgow, being on the witnesses stand, says that
when called he was convinced Mrs. fftchard
under the depressing influence Of anti.
mony lie saw her again, aud his impressions
were confirmed lie thought she vas poisoned
But no said nothing He was restrained by
professional etiquette Dr. pftchatd had hts
views OF the ease and WAS Ia attendance as the
regular adviser OF his vile, and DR. Patterson
SAYS etiquette forbade him TO interfere at all.
lie believed that the woman was poisoned. but
he kept the belief 20 himself On the trial ths
Lord Justice made this severe and lust reference
to the matter
"He said distinctly in answer 20 q question
put to him, that what he intended 10 state Ia the
witness box was, that he was la the decided i'm.
precision, when be saw Mrs Pdtchard OF tins oc
easion. that somebody vas then pr,o,ciug upon
her with poison Now. he thought Il consisten,
With his professional duty, aud. must also add
With he duty as citizen OF this country, to keep
that opinion to himself, and In that | cannot sav
that | concur. ! care not for professional Ell
quctto-for professional rule. There il a rule
ot lie. aud a consideration which IL higher than
rule, aud that !. the duty which every citizen OF
this country, which every right minded man
owes TO his neighbour TO prevent the destruction
OF human life. aud in that duty cannot see but
that DE- Patterson failed
We ne ipeliued TO .hink that the professional
etiquette does not so quite 80 far In this coun'
Try. IL Ia highly probable that any physician
Of respectablity here would. ia such csse
make The facts known 20 proper authorizes
But il l. never certain how fsr the absurd laws
OF etiquette may lead. either In fashionable life
OF in professional life. Every one remembers
the story of the Cambridge student who saw
another student dfowning Ia the river aud stood
wrngng bis hands aud expressing bis regret
that be had never been introduced 10 the mau 20
that be might take the liberty OF reseuing him
IL it not Just possible that medical men are some
times 10 az equally absurd attitude A physician
Who occasionally practices on common sense
plan. using -hateser remedies-homgopa
allopathic. or hydropalhic-sse 10 bis jadgmen,
best suited to the case l. puzzled al lasg by some
desperate disease The patient asks and needs
consultation DR. Etiquette Is sent for lie is
. learned man. His skhl Is beyond question.
lie could save this mans lie But he refuses
to come because the regular physician i no, a
regular siiopath'st The patient dies Nov
we respectfully state our opinion thai 10 this
case the refusing physician 10 responsible Tor the
death Of the patient. He will have 10 answer
for the sn some day. Why does the rule d der
from the rule in any other walk in lifef A yes