The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-07-13
MEDICAL ETIQUETTE.
Rigid Professional Rules Followed BY
Strait-Laced Physicians.

Stra1t-Lace0 r nysiclonSs
"The desire for a strict observance
of professional ethics among physi-
clans is sometimes abnormally devel-
oped by consciousness of ones SUI
periority into practices which are
ridiculous and absurd" said we'll
known doctor the other day. 'Busi-
ness is business in the medical as well
as the commercial world, but, as there
are many little sociel acts that may
be INDUCED IN even while changing
merchandise into gold, SO physician,
who has his profession close to his
heart, will not disguise the natural
social instinct of man by exaggerated
mannerisms that are intended solely
to magnify his own Importance in the
eyes of his patient. Professional eti-
quette is ali right, but when it makes
man appear to be more of thinking
machine with an automatic dispensing
attachment, it is time to revise prac-
| tice.
"In my experience have met with
many curious examples of distorted
ideas of what professional etiquette
should be, but the most marked case
of apy-is to be found in Philadelphia
doctor of high standing. He possesses
considerable skill, and this, along with
many mannerisms and affectations,
with startling nicely of dress always
| in the latest fashion, has made this
physician the pet of the world of fash
ion, who are willing to pay eqorbitant
fees for INDUCING in social fad.
They all like him because he is SO diff
| ferent.
THE doctor is great stickler on
the eth les of medical practice, and con-
siders his methods the only proper
ones for physician to follow. He re-
Trains when visiting patient from
saying anything to any person in the
house, aside from asking information
concerning the case in hand, but a
most polite 'good-day' when arriving
and leaving. He believes that the doc
tor should be apart from the man, SO,
in well-defined manner, he conducts
a dual life-Dr Blank as the physician
and Dr. Blank as the social man.
| "You can imagine how this cool pro-
| fessional manner seeIus. in the homes
| of his friends, yet no matter how close
| ly he may be connected when called in
professionally he always maintains
| this attitude. know of one case in
which he was called in by a college
chum to attend his wife. The two had
been the warmest sort of friends in
college. having roomed together and
graduated in the same class. But as
such things go in this world, they had
not seen much of each other of late
years, their business keeping them
4 apart and kind fortune having favored
/ the mans home with health, SO there
was no need of physician. But he
i called his friend in when he needed
| him. at the door he met him with a
cordial greeting aud hearty hand
shake, only to have cold good morn
ing and an indifferent grasp of the
hand in return.
1.-The man, thinking the doctor must
have some cause for his apparently
cool, Indifferent manner, said no more,
bus conducted him to his wife's room,
where he answered all the questions
put to him by the physician. AS he
was going down stairs he stopped in
the library. and taking up decanter,
said: ALLOW me to give you a glass
sherry, DOCTOR This the doctor re-
fused, and proceeded on his way down
stairs, and with good day went out
of the door.
1.-THE gentleman was nonplussed by
his strange actions. The friend of his
college days, so changed! His mecita-
tions were interrupted by the ringing
of the bell, and upon going to the head
of the stairs he found it was the doc
tor returned. But it was not the doc.
tor, it was the man. The returned doc
tor did not wait for his friend to come
down and greet him, but rushed uE
the stairs and, taking his hand, wa:
most cordial. This puzzled the gentle
man more than ever, and he began te
think his friend had really gone in
sane. But his college chum dragged
HIM into the library, where, without
waiting for an invitation from hi.
host, he took up the decanter anc
poured out two glasses of wine. Their
selecting an easy chair, he sat dowI
with the remark: We'll, John, this i.
like the good old days gone by
"Then the doctor piled all sorts o.
questions to the astonishcd man, wht
was so amazed that everything seemed
jumbled to him. Finally he recovered
himself to ask him the meaning OF hi
actions upon his first visit. The doc
tor explained how rigidly he adhered
; to line of ethics in medical practice
and how he never intended that a pro
fessional call was intended to be a SO
cial one.
NOW he went on I finished mi
professional call went outside ant
waited awhile, then made my socia
call, for was anxious to see and tall
with you, John. / never allow any o
my patients to say / overstepped thu
line of professionalism even one iota
My life as doctor and my life as |
man are two different things alto
gether, and / keep them apart from
each other, SO that they are perfec
strangers. 1t may seem strange, bu
it is an idea / have
"And he told the truth. The mai
socially is most brilliant and goes il
the most fashionable circles of tina
. staid, aristocratic town, but as doc
E tor, aside from being an excelle n
! practitioner, he is absolutely dull an,
: uninteresting. This is one example o
4 - x,~1foe