The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-12-24

/ dnN fiVi'ostoudi tViitfutitt Ntoidt-
cd" DR.. Strong rose and paced up
and down the room, talking with
repressed energy. Therein IL fol-
lows medical ethics in its most con-
sentative and baneful phase. The
code OF medical conduct provides
that a physician is bound 10 keep
secret all the private affairs Of a
patient, learned in the course OF
practice. One body, the American
Institute OF Homeopathy. has WISE
ly amended its code TO except those
cases where harm 10 others may re-
suit That amendment was pass
ed with particular reference 10 We
nereal disease"
what about contagious diseases"
asked Mr.. Clyde. Doesn't the law
require the physician TO report Dip
iberia, for instance, and thus vio-
late the patients confldence?"
Certainly IL does. All schools
recognize that principle Of protec-
ton TO the public. Yet, in the case
Of syphilis or gonorrhoea, when the
harm to public health is far greater
than from any 'reportable' disease
except tuberculosis, the physician
must hold his peace, though he sees
his patient pass out OF his hands
bearing fire and sword and poison TO
future generations. There's the
Ban Of Silence in its most diabolical
formr
Mr.. Clyde regarded his household
physician keenly. 1--WE never before
seen you so stirred" he observed.
I've reason to be stirred" The
Health Master whirled suddenly up
on his friend and employer. clyde,
you've never questioned me as TO
my past"
NO"
Have you never wanted it clear
ed up?"
NO"
you've always been willing TO
take me on trust?"
YES"
And I appreciate il. But now
I'm going to tell you how hap
pened TO come 10 you. broken and
ruined man."
Think il over, Strong" advised
Mr.. Clyde. Don't speak now. Not
that it would make any difference
to me. I know you. II you were to
tell me that ypu had committed
homicide, I'd belive that ii was a
necessary and justifiable homicide"
Suicide, rather" returned the
other with a mirthless laugh; pro-
fessional suicide. I'll speak now.
il you don't object"
go ahead. then, IL il will ease
your mind"
I'm a lawbreaker, Clyde. I did.
years ago, what you thought EN-
cry should have done. I deliberate
ly violated the professions Ban OF
Silence. The man was my patient
in the city where I had built up a
good high-class practice. He had
contracted gonorrhoea and I had
treated him for a year. The infec-
ton seemed TO be rooted out. But I
knew the danger, and when he told
me that he was engaged to be mar
ried TO girl Of my own set and a
valued friend, was horror-stricken.
pleaded, argued, and finally threat
ened. II was no use. He was the
spoiled child Of wealthy family,
impatient Of any thwarting. One
day the suspicious Of the girls
mother were aroused. She came to
me in deep distress. told her the
truth. The engagement was brok-
en-. The man did not bring suit
against me, but his family used their
financial and social power TO perse-
cute and finally drive me out OF the
city, a nervous wreck. That's my
history"
"You could have protected your
self by telling the true facts" sug-
gested Clyde.
"Yes: but that would have been
an unforgivable breach Of confidence.
The public had no right to the
facts. The girls family had"
Then they should have come to
your rescue with the truth"
II bound them TO secrecy"
Slowly Mr.. Clyde rose, walked
over. picked up the paper with
the staring headlines. folded IL. laid
il on the table, and. in passing the
physician, set hand, as II by
chance. upon his shoulder. From
so undemonstrative a man the &C
ton meant much.
49," he said with affectiOnate
lightness, my Chinese physician has
been fighting dragons before he ev-
er came 10 us; worse monsters than
he's been called upon TO face, since.
That was a splendid defeat. Strong"