The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-20
THE FEES OF PHYSICIANS.
A Famous Doctor who Overreached
Himself-The Largest Fee.

Himself-The Largest Fec.
From the London Standard Review.
Although many centuries have gone by
since the two Christian brothers, Dam
ian and Cosmas, practiced as physicians
in Cilcia, and refused to take recompense
for their ministrations, thus earning the
magnificent soubriquet of "Anargyri," the
eminent physician is still supposed to leave
his reward to be measured by the graft
tude and justice of those whom he has
benefited.
For not having done this, Alfred Louis
Veipeau, the greatest French surgeon of
his time. had a severe lesson read to him
by the mother of patient, a young girl
whose life he had saved in a critical case
of Group. The mother, brimming over with
gratitude, went to see the famous sur
geon, an abrupt and somewhat disagree
able parsonage at the best of times, and
reputed to be afflicted with inordinate
greed. II have come to thank you for
what you have done for us and to offer
you this as token Of our obligation, she
said, placing a beautifully embroidered
purse on Velpeau's table. Velpeau scarce
ly took the trouble to look at it. II accept,
madame" he remarked, in his ungracious
way; but, of course, this is without pre-
JUDGE 10 my nOnOfdr1ufl, Wnlcn comes TO
three thousand francs" Thereupon, the
lady took up her present. II am afraid 1
made a mistake, them she laughed;
"there are five notes Of a thousand francs
each in there. This makes us right, then,
monsieur" And, pocketing two out of the
five slips of blue paper, she bowed, Il
have the honor 20 wish you good morn
ing"
Sir Ashley Cooper was wiser in his gem
Grafton The largest fee he ever received
was rendered to him in a somewhat less
delicate but more original manner. He had
been attending in his capacity of surgeon,
a West Indian millionaire, named Hyatt,
with Drs. Lettsom and Nelson as physi-
clans. The treatment was most successful,
and IN his Joy Hyatt bestowed three hun
dred guineas on each of the doctors. But
you" exclaimed the grateful patient, adj
dressing Sir Ashley, you shall have some
thing better" With this he flung his night
cap at the eminent operator. Sir" replied
the latter, I'm pocket the affront." And
he slipped the "affront'' into his pocket.
1t contained draft for one thousand gum
cas-.
have an idea that similar instances OF
generosity are by no means unfrequcnt
nowadays with very wealthy as distir-
guished from royal and princely patents,
but the merely affiuent do not feel bound
TO exhibit such lavishness, even IL they
can afford It. considering that the physi-
clans themselves have practically nipped
such tendencies In the bud by raising their
fees to double what they we're twenty or
thirty years ago. All due allowance being
made for the greater purchasing power
OF money In 1870, no one will seriously 2 n
tend that guinea went twice as far then
as II does at present Yet two guineas is
at this hour the ordinary consulting fee Of
the physician In renown. In Henry Wits
time It was los. for the ordinary commoner
and the case Of the Earl Of Cumberland,
who presented a physician Of Cambridge
with double that sum. was considered
worthy OF special record. During the reign
OF Elizabeth the fee does not appear to
have Increased materially, and was look
ed upon by most people as amply sum
Client, for Stow. probably after a journey
TO the Netherlands, where he may have
made the acquailance Of that wonderful
Mistress Dinghen, the inventor Of the