Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-02-19
LErTERFRoM DIR. GALL.
To His Nephew, Charles Grimwig, on
the Latter's Graduation from
the st. Louis Medical
Society.

\
I am glad you are now an ac-
ceotel NJ. D., as it will free both
your widowed mother and myself
from the heavy expense of-welL We
will say your education. As to your
future, little advice may not come
amiss. Settle wherever You please.
Men are as sick and credulous in
Chicago as in New York. Only
avoid Philadelphia, as they have
more doctors there than the traffic
will bear. I recommend, however,
Brooklyn and all cities which have a
high reputation for piety. This is
invariably synonymous with good ! ]
demand for professional services.
In opening an Office, choose the
shady side of street and use north
room. Sunny Offices are too condu-
Give to convalescence. In decora-
ting the wall, choose appropriately.
A good engraving of a dissecting-
room, Q few colored Autographs of
remarkable tumors, a skull, baby
in a bottle, and several worn-out
scalpels and trochars are neat and
very effective.
On your centre-table keep chem
istry, an anatomy, a few medical
journals, and pathology turned
down at the chapter on consumption.
Patients, while awaiting your return,
are sure to read something. A novel
turns their mind away to foreign
topics; well-written treatise renders
them the more anxious to secure
your aid. Besides, I have noticed
that one-half, and the best half of
your callers, come in to respect respi-
ratory troubles Of course they won't
have consumption; but still it is ex-
cellent professionally that they
should realize the possible outcome
of their indisposition.
Let your conversation evidence the
|nob.e calling you have chosen. New
er fall into the vulgar practice of en-
ploying everyday words. It does
not sound so well, nor does it pay,
either. For temperament or habit,
use diathesis; for opinion, diagnosis;
for head, eye, throat and heart, cere-
bral optic. laryngeal and cardiac.
t You can charge thirty dollars for en-
b teritis where you'd get scant three
a dollars for stomach-ache. Many
e words in our vocabulary have reaped
us fortunes. Carditis, synovitis
e hemiplegy and pe'iostis are among
II the most valuable we have.
!. While it is unprofessional to exac
v commissions from apothecaries, ,
j. sound regard for your own future
will prompt you to gratefully accep
l. any honorariIm they may from TIM
"a to time bestow upon you in recogni
n ,ion of the patients you send to them
y In fact, any druggist who does no
n tangibly express his appreciation o
your influence should be strickel
from your list, and only those VIII
Il do should be allowed to remair
" Likewise. in buying articles for you
patients you are legally and moral
IN entitled to a commission from th
dealer, varying from thirty-five t
Of fifty per cent. Wealthy hypochol
"A driacs can i, this wise be made I
ne pay splendid figures to a conscie1
bt tious practitioner.
to In treating the sick, use upon tt
it. poor only the latest remedies. Thi
is in the main, is quicker and more eff
ur cacious. Frequently you will tn,
rv gain valuable information as to ne
discoveries, and so be enabled
"a. avoid mistakes as to your wealth
patients. With the rich be slow al
n. deliberate. 1t sometimes Injuries Il
~, constitution when convalescense
!. w too rapid; it also Injuries your stat
nd and your bank-account. After rest
arc ration to health, keep up a mild tor
nor treatment. Most patients enjoy IL
ma for four or five weeks, and SO just
mo fifteen or twenty additional visits:
When you encounter case tt
generally cures itself within TWEEN
four hours, Immediately administe
FER cathartic, sudorifc or emetic. It'll
sed happened that slight illnesses devel
had into serious maladies. While this
un- improbable, it is we'll to be prepal
and especially when your patient
hat rich.
,try In your conduct be dignifed {
om- learned with men; suave and co
her Dental with women, afectionate ,
his mischievous with children. Be
try. repository of all family secrets,
the keep ON friendly terms with the
spe- wants and the family lawyer. A,
four reporters as much as possible,
Mo- tell all your best cases to the ed
of the local newspaper.
=. So far as study and experiment
concerned, leave them to stud
-. and professors. What little use1
- may be to you and your patien
more than counterbalanced by
loss of valuable time and golden
80, portunities.
by following out these rules
dear Charles, you will attain
any nence in our profession, and vii
e ia; cumulate, if not fortune, at
.ye," that competence which assures on
the respect, admiration and re
of himself and society at large.
q l.. al