New Britain herald., 1916-01-15
COMMUNICATED,
Let Us Play Fair With the Doctor Another View of 'sI1he High Cost
 of Living,-and Dying"

New Britain, Conn.,,
 Jan. II, 1916. To the Editor of the New Britain
 Herald:
 Dear Sir:--It is perfectly human to keep hold of dollar as long as possible, and I am no more anxious to part with my money than the rest of the doctors patients, but nevertheless I. and many other fair minded persons wish to take exception to the woeful tale which appeared in Tuesdays Herald, from the pen of a sufferer The individual who wrote the article plainly showed that his malady is not chronic stomach trouble but chronic erouch, and I know of no New Britain doctor who will guarantee to cure such a malignant disease. If the numerous physicians who treated the case were able to collect the fees they so cruelty asked, they have my sincere congratulations, one and all.
 It is inevitable that the doctors in New Britain will be obliged to make some advance in their fees before long, and the honest man or woman will meet the condition sensibly, if they realize that up to the present time the local doctors have received the lowest fees paid in any city of it's size in the country. If an advance IS made in their prices, it will simply mean that they will charge what physicians of other cities and states receive, which surely is only fair, in asmuch as doctors expenses are no less here than elsewhere.
 I believe few patients realize what it costs a doctor to acquire and main tain his profession In the first place, he forfeits all claim on his home life, his eating and sleeping hours, and any form of recreation. He cannot live for himself or his family, or even consider his own health. Regardless of time or condition, he must be a servant of the public. In the second place, no branch of education is so costly, both in time and money as a course in medical science, and no ether professional practice requires such an outlay of money in instru- ments, medicine and equipment. The good old fashioned doctor alluded to by our suffering friend made up for his lack of modern scientific know ledge and technical skill by a genial disposition, and fatherly interest, which is fine thing to foster friend ship, but a very poor substitute for
  surgery when ones life hangs in the balance.
 I wonder how many of us would like to step into the doctors shoes and fly from one end of the city to the other, morning, noon and night, seeing nothing but sickness, sorrow and suffering, hearing nothing but troubles and complaints, giving the best of our lives and services to others, and then in return for our time, knowledge and service receive little or nothing in return. l am in clned to think we would all prefer some other occupation.
 The doctor is not half as mercenary as he is painted. Do you realize that every physician in New Britain treats many cases among the poor, and not only asks no fee in return for his ser wees, but does not expect it? And when it comes to collecting fees, isn't it strange that the poor laboring man and the hardworking woman will pay cash for a doctors services, while the families who have their comfort able homes, social position, and money in the bank pay no more att tcntion to a doctors bill than to a snow flake in a blizzard
 Many who read this have, like my self. stood by the bedside of dear ones, and seen doctor fight to save a life very precious to us. And when the fight was won, did not the doctors power to save human life appeal to you as almost devine? And would any price under the sun have seemed too much to pay in return for his gift to you? If you have not been through this experience, it may come to you in the near future, and then you will $; ; with me, let us play fair with the doctor.
 A PATIENT WHO BELIEVES
 IN THE GOLDEN RULE.