Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-23
DECISION IS UPHELD.
Ottumwa Doctors Agree With De-
cree of Indiana Supreme Court.
In THE NATTER OF ANSWERING CALLS
Court Decides Physicians Need Not
Answer Calls Unless They Have
Made Contract to Do So and Not Ii.
able for Refusal.

A recent decision of the Indiana s'l-
preme court is being commented upon
quite favorably by Ottumwa physi-
clans. That court ruled one day last
week, that licensed practicing ply.
stefan is not bound to attend any pa
teient for whom he is called unless he
has made contract for such services.
Even the fact that he may have serv-
ed as family physician does not inn
pose the obligation to go. The court
also ruled that the physician is net
liable for the consequences of his re-
fusal to answer calls:
physicians have always resisted the
idea that they are public servants" said
one Ottumwa doctor today when question
decision. and can be called into service
by whom and wherever it is desired.
Should there not be another physician
near at hand, we would feel that the NOR
al obligation which surrounds our work
would make 1t necessary for us to attend,
but If we were compelled to go wherever
we were called some one miles away might
demand our attention and put us to a loss
and leave our other patients without help.
The humane element which partially gov
ems us often steps in where judgment die
tates otherwise, but compulslon we resent
and will not obey. The ruling of the
do not clearly understand all the intri-
cacies of that particular case
View Held Here.
This view of the Indiana court, several
Ottumwa physicians stated, has always
been accepted here and never questioned.
They are unanimous in their belief that
the results of the decision will be far
reaching in putting stop. to prevalent
idea that doctors are public servants ana
must do as the public desires.
manding sudden aid and not listening to
refusals are the bane of the physician S
work.
Established Theory.
''The court is merely making law what
has been generally UNDERSTOOD said an
other doctor. "Often a physician is tired
out after days work and in no condi-
ton to handle n case, for hundred
causes may prevent his doing what is de
manded of him. When this is the case 1t
would be unjust to ask him to attend ev-
cry call that came up. Refusals are some
times considered as not right, but they are
certainly not unprofessional. We do not
belong TO the public, no matter how neces-
sary we may be- ] have. found from ex-
come from those who have no intention of
paying or are total strangers. We are all
human. and we all desire to do good, but
We are not at every mans beck and call"
Doctors in Business.
"a physician has a moral force back OF
him, perhaps not SO great as that of the
minister, yet great enough to make him
answer the greater part of the calls
whether they are to his wishes or not, >
said the third physician. still. as far as
II know, no law has been framed that
makes us attend cases when we do not So
desire. Emergency calls IRE not general,
good calls. We often obey them. but I
regular practice among those we know Il
what is desired. We are in business, al
are merchants, and should not he com
PEELED to accept anything that comes along
unless we are to get compensation for It
Should the state guarantee fees we might
consider the proposition. but even ther
the majority would disapprove. Ideas Of
duty vary with different people. A man
has often strange opinions when he Is
Sick