The Coconino sun., 1924-07-04

ways call in a colleague in case of
4 Illness in his own family, and
the one called is to always cheerfully
and gratutitously respond with his
4 professional services. That no charge
/ is to be made for such services, except
the actual outlay OF cash, such as
] travelling expense.
/ Regarding consultations in serious
/ illness, the physician should request
:, consultations, and the benefits to
be derived by the patient is of first
| Importance. There is a long para
! graph on the Importance of punctu-
ality at consultation appointments,
both because it may avoid embarras-
sing situations for the one who ar
rives promptly, and It is inconsiderate
to waste another mans time. Dis
cussiOns in consultation, conflict of
opinions and the relation of the con-
lsultant and the regular attendant are
very definitely outlined, and there
| should be no question in the mind of
any practicing physician as to his
conduct under such conditions. Here,
] perhaps, as in any other business
and profession, the misunderstanding
arise not 50 much from real NAL in
tent as in Ignorance of the establish
ed rules set down by tradition or by
agreement.
| I should like to call to your partic-
ular attention the ethical procedure
Of one physician to the patients of
another physician. The physician in
his intercourse with a patient under
the care of another physician. should
observe the strictest caution and re-
serve, should avoid making social calls.
on those who are under the profession
al care of other physicians without
the knowledge and consent of the at
tendant, and should such social visit
be made, should not inquire rela-
tive to the nature of the disease, but
the conversation should be on sub
jects other than the physical condi-
ton of the patient 1t is unethical
under the care of another physician,
except in cases where the regular at
tendant cannot be reached; it is the
rule that the case be turned over to
the family physician or regular at
tendant as soon as he arrives or as
soon as he is available. When al
physician is requested by colleague
to care for a patient during his tenn
porary absence, the physician should
treat his patient in the same manner
as he would have one of his own pa
tients cared for under similar circum-
stances. The patient should be re-
turned to the care Of the attending
physician as soon as possible.
Differences in opinion Of grave
nature between physicians which cam
not be promptly adjusted should be
referred for arbitration to a commit
tee Of impartial physicians, preferably |
the. board of censors of a component |
county society of the American Medi- !
cal association.
The question Of compensation for /
services takes up the least considera-
tion in the medical code of ethics. 1t !
provides for the gratutituous services
Of a physician where poverty Of the
patient is established. 1t condemns as
unprofessional contract practice be-
cause of interference with reasonable
competition among the physicians of I
a community. 1t condemns absolutely /
the secret division of fees as being /
detrimental to the public good and
degrading to the profession. Under
splitting of fees, as it is called, is in
cluded especially commissions to ply
sicians who refer cases to other men
for operations and other work which I
they themselves are not qualified or
equipped to take care Of.
In closing, the duties of the pro-
fession to the public.
Physicians, as good citizens and
because their professional training
especially qualities them to render
this service, should give advice con-
corning the public health of the COM
munity. They should bear their full
part in enforcing its laws and sis-
tanning the institutions that advance
the interests of humanity. Theyl
should cooperate especially with the
proper authorities in the administra- !
ton of sanitary laws and regulations.
They should be ready to counsel the |
public. on subjects relating to sani-
bation, police, public hyiege and legal |
Cur duties in epidemics are that
especially those engaged
IN public health work, should enIight-
en- the public regarding quarantine
IN thn locafion ay.ranpn- l