The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-01-11
CHICAGO DOCTOR CHARGES
WHOLESALE GRATING BY MEDICOS

old to learn how. oh, yes, we'd all
do It II we had a chance, presume.
We'd be forced to. Those who do It
claim that they have to- It may be
the public's fault, but It's certainly
hard on said public which has to do
the paying and which doesn't know
whether Il has the before-mentioned
stomach ache or appendicitis.
IN ancient Rome the doctors used
to graft successfully. They'd place
finger on the severed end of an artery
and say to the patient; Now, old fell
low, just come across with the. fee,
right away, or the finger will be re-
moved and you'll bleed to death.
1--WE are coming TO that. We may
not work It in the same way, but the
idea will be the same. Even now
they-or we-want money before oper-
ations, and will endeavor to learn
something of patients standing in
the community before his check will
be accepted. Wouldn't a business man
do the same thing? And if surgery is
becoming a business, why isn't it pro-
per? 1t is proper-from that stand
point But, oh, the pity of the pass
ing of old ideals!
"The whole matter seems to me
question of economies. The medical
profession is a belated profession. We
cannot collect fee by statute under
certain conditions-as when the call
comes from a third party. We must
have money. What is there left to do?
Graft! Or 'commercialize. That's a
nicer name for it. Let's see now just
what the public brings on its own
head.
There's a man who thinks it is ne
cessary that his leg comes off. He
has nerved himself for the operation
and has announced his willingness to
pay $3.50. A conscientious surgeon
examines the leg and saves it without
the use of knife and the man re-
covers the use of it. In few days
he is able to sit up and dispute the
bill for 500, claiming it is exorbitant.
What do you think His argument is?
This:
"'You Cidn't have to operate. Why
should il cost so much?'
"That may not be logic, but it's
what happens right along That is the
grateful reply we get from many pa
tlents for saving them from mutila-
ton. And it is things like that which
have largely influenced surgeons, I
believe, to operate when it is unne-
cessary. 1t is not right, of course, A
surgeon should be as a father and
mother to a helpless, sick soul. Still
he is human and he must live. Like
Robin Hood, there is better class of
surgical robber who takes only from
the rich.
you know, the rich are always in a
precarious condition It's a mighty
conscientious doctor who will tell a
rich man that his trouble is only ina
ginary. The average physician or
surgeon will fly around briskly, dope
the man up and then probably remove
perfectly good appendix-bill $4,000.
81 attended the son of a rich man
who really had appendicitis at one
time. The operation was successful
and the boy pulled through, although
never saw a more serious case ]
sent in bill for $4,000 and received
, no reply. tried again and received
no reply. Shortly afterward l met
, this man on the street-youd know
+ his name if I were to mention it-and
he said, Z have no intention of paying
: your exorbitant bill
2 81 wouldn't sue. Never do. Bat
: practice. So | compromised for $500
E although he could have paid $4,000
i without missing it-and the operation
D was worth it."