Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-09-28
LONDON DOCTORS.
xA.y Have . stricter Etiquette THAI
American Medical Men.

AU1IE1U8n = A08hC98A AAGAAs
yeey few people outside Of the pro-
lfeslNon, tsaid o. well known English
physician recently, have the slightest
idea how medical men are hedged
round by etiquette until they can
scarcely take q step, however innocent.
toward procuring patient without q
serious risk OF putting their foot in It
with the medical council.
So fearful are the authorities lest any
member of the profession should be
suspected Of such horrible thing as
soliciting custom that the very letters
Of the name on his doorplate may not
exceed certain size. II he moves,
from one house to another he mustn't
proclaim the fact, and he must at once
remove his plate from the house he is
leavtng.
He should not allow his name to up
pear in the papers If he can help 1t,
and indeed the editors of the leading
newspapers have been requested by the
authorities to suppress any reference
to doctors by name as far US possible.
These are but samples Of the jealousy
with which honor is guarded until the
modest violet that blushes unseen is an
audacious flower compared with the
doctor who has his bread and butter to
make, but mustn't show a sign of It.
OF course there are heaps Of doctors
who do advertise in spite Of all these
restrictions and the penalties for defy
ing them. There is the man who can
not take his seat once week in church
without being summoned away by a
perspiEing messenger to an imaginary
patient and the man whose carriage
you are always meeting driving furi-
ously US II on life or death errnnd.
Then there's DR.. Blank, whose wife
and relatives advertise his wonderful
skill' In the most unblushing way, and
DR.. Dash, who gets so desperate that
he takes the bit in his teeth and de-
liberately touts for patients.
But when man is caught offending
his shrift Is short, for he is quickly
summoned to appear before the trfbu-
nal to account for his delinquencies.
This tribunal is the DOCTORS court mar
tial and holds its sittings periodically
In an impressive court.
The court consists of members Of the
general medical council, all doctors Of
eminence, who SIT around a long table,
ut the head Of which is the president
on raised seat. Facing the presid-
ting judge at the lower end of the table
Is the happy culprit whose case is be
ing investigated and who generally
feels Just about as happy US If he were
being tried on capital charge. And
little wonder, for on the verdict of the
court depends whether or not he leaves
the, court ruined man.
The trial is very similar to those
held In an ordinary court. There is
the prosecutor, ON official of the coun-
Gil; there are witnesses to be exam
tned. cross examined and re-examined,
and there is the defendants counsel.
often well known barrtster. When
all the evidence has been taken and
sifted. the room is cleared Of all but
the Judges, who decide on their YER
dict while the defendant and his
friends wait outside.
At last the signal is given, the door
is thrown open, and the verdict Of the
court Is read out 1t may be an &c.
quital or q, severe reprimand or even
q suspension for time from practice,
or, If the offense, has been great, 1t
may be q sentence Of expulsion from
the professionalism the defendants
name be struck Off the register-and
this means absolute and hopeless ruin.
Is 1t wonder that with such an ordeal
and penalties in view English doctors
are. as a rule, such models Of profes.
sional propriety p Chicago News.