The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-30

novels of the poor as the palaces of the
rich. To such man the social and moral
status of his patients gives him as little
concern as the bark that grew on the
tree does the carpenter who fashions
the wood. To him, patients are just hui
man beings whether clothed in satin or
rags. The simple grandeur of such a
nature may be appreciated on high, and
his reward may lie beyond the pearly
gates, it certainly is not here.
HE does a great deal of practice among
the poor is in some respects the most
hurtful Slur ever east upon a physician
Mrs. Finikin and Mr.. High Tone could
not think of patronizing a physician who
came SO intimately in contact with the
submerged. single man might sacrifice
himself TO the service of the poor, but If
he marries he must adopt some sort of
business method or his family will be
likely to suffer.
The man who fulfills the mission of the
ideal physician can so fill his time with
the acquisition of knowledge and exper
fence, and the volume to be learned is
never ending that he has no time to
spend in money gathering or even to
think seriously of his financial better
ment The ideal business man pushes his
calling for all there is in it. His is a
contest of wit and management, and his
patrons are not as completely at his
mercy as a Doctors patrons are.
The physician who runs his profession
by business methods, getting all out of
it he can, is very dangerous man to
ell in. People generally have an in
stinctive dread of such a man and sooner
or later become shy of the boaster and
the one who drums for patronage. This
is fortunate otherwise the systematic
drummer and practice seeker would get
all the work and his patrons would be
effectually worked.
Among the better class of physicians,
it is considered ugly to personally solicit
patronage either by word or fawning
civility. There are many good reasons
why this should be considered a most
fragrant violation of medical ethics. Per-
sonal solicitation is taking advantage of
ones friends. Every one knows that for
many minor ailments, one doctor will do
just as we'll as another. If person is
friendly to the man who solicits him, ne
will naturally want to help him along.
He calls him in thinking to himself when
he does So that If the case does not do
we'll, he can call in the old family doctor.
Ii the case does not do we'll and he has
to call on the old family doctor, the old
family doctor feels piqued and does not
care a continental how the case goes. His
affection for that family has passed
away The streak of cussedness pervading
all human nature is about as broad in
doctors nature as in anybody's.
The practice of undertaking has al
ways been regarded as not the correct
thing to do. When one doctor underbids
another it implies that the other doctor
has been charging too much or that the
doctor offering the bid considers that his
services are not worth as much as the
other mans The solicited person often
thinks he has been swindled by the other
doctor and forthwith hates him. Some
times he thinks the bidder is too cheap
and does not care to deal with him. 1t
matters not which way he may look at
it, he thinks less of one or the other
doctor and this lowers his esteem of the
profession in general
Thrift and financial success are the
sole criterions by which the world judges
men. This makes the position of the
medical man peculiarly trying. If his
tastes, talents and aspirations leads him
to practice on account of his love of his
art and he fails to accumulate money
the community will measure him by the
worlds standard and set him down as
failure professionally as well as finan-
cially. If he does as the business man
does. pushes his calling for all there is
in it. he prostitutes his talents to base
purpose and losses the respect of the men
in his own calling If he turns to the
right. he wrongs himself and family, if
he turns to the left he wrongs his pat
rons.
The mental capacity to be good doc
tor makes one capable of being very sue
cessful business man. If doctor retains
his self-respect he can be neither one nor
the other. The support of himself and
family compels him to be sufficiently bus
mess like to earn enough money. to as
sure a comfortable living and a COM
petence for old age. To do this policy
often requires him TO humor fool who
thinks he is sick. This is very revolving
even If he does get money for it. His
sense of honesty would feel relieved to
tell such people they are fools and need
no treatment. Government supervision
would make honest dealings not only
possible but the best method to pursue.
II. O. HYATT, M. d.
Kinston, N G.