The Coconino sun., 1927-02-18
Problems in Ethics Which
Physicians Have to Solve
Address by DR.. M. G. Fronske at Flagstaff
Rotary Club February 8

the other hand, an apparently per-
fectly healthy individual is observed
by his friends or his relations to be
regularly consulting q physician. 10
their minds, he is in perfect health,
whereas the patient himself, as we'll
as the doctor, and, for that matter, a
number Of doctors who have consulted
on the case, are certain that there IS
a definite disease which for the sake
of privacy out. of sensitiveness the
patient does not wish to admit to hls
friends and the physician is bound not
to expose to others. Let US look at
another phase. Some of the most
hopeless cases with which physician
has to deal are those with very IN
sidious beginning. His advice is
sought for a slight soreness with q
small nodnse i'll the breast. To the
average individual it may mean moth
ing but to the physician who has the
vital interest of his patient at heart
ard who knows theApossibilitiesa this
insignificant complaint may moan a
beginning cancer which If properly
dealt with immediately will prevent
indescribable suffering and final
death. He is really very much alarmed
and induces his patient to adept the
proper measures for the definite de-
termnation Of the seriousness of the
trouble. This means an operation.
Even If the operative findings verify
his fears he may be the target for
smart remarks by the uniformed, ufl-
observant or careless outsider who
can see only sinister motive.
But I believe that the sincere NJ. d.
always has the interest Of his patient
at heart and that the practice OF try
ing to lead ron-sufferers along is
very rare. It is in. the end matter
of good or bad faith. These are only
a few Of instances where appearances
deceive some, incriminate Others and
inflict injustice on all.
There is also one other angle to this
situation, as every busy physician
knows, and that is that the patient
who really has nothing wrong with
him but believes himself sick requires
more patience and tact than the pa
tient who the doctor knows is sick,
whose illness he has diagnosed and
the treatment for which he has IN
stituted.
In recent years most of you perhaps
are aware that the medical profession
has been endeavoring to prevent dis
ease rather than to cure it. Appreci-
ating the slight beginnings of really
serious illness which lead to heart
disease and to chronic ailments, very
often induces a physician to ask Q
patient to present himself at regular
intervals to observe the progress OF
such a condition with the view of CIV
ing proper advice and preventing later
suffering and invalidism. A patient
who does not appreciate this class OF
service may be thoroughly disgusted
with the persistence of his physician
who is working only in the patients s
sincere interest.
The periodic health examinations
very often bring out such incipient
troubles. The insurance companies,
as you all know, make provision for
the policy holders TO subject them
selves to such examination. Their IN
structions to the examiner are very
definite to look for the slight ailments
which we know end seriously. His re-
port is submitted to the company with
an ANALYSIS and with recommends
tions, very often prescribing definite
treatment or definite outline Of hy-
ing conditions to prevent sickness.
In conclusion I wish to sstate en-
phatically that the practice OF accept
ing and prescribing for case where
there is positive evidence that there Is
no physical ailment is unusual. That
any physician who is known TO his