CHAPTER XIII.

INTERFERENCE WITH PHYSICIANS.

GREAT latitude is allowed by the community in interfering with the practice of physicians. It is the object of this chapter to point out some of the ways in which this interference is exercised, and some of the injurious consequences which result from it.

Sometimes the confidence which one feels in his own physician leads him to put a low estimate upon the merits of other physicians and to attempt to destroy the hold which they have upon the confidence of their employers. Though this is very common, it is a most unjustifiable interference. While it is right that every one should be attached to the physician who has done well for him and his family in their sickness, this furnishes no ground for disparaging the physician to whom another is attached, perhaps for just as good reasons. He may sincerely believe that his friend has misplaced his confidence. But let him ask himself, am I sure-do I know, that it is so? Have I the data on which I can properly base such an opinion? Am I competent to judge of the comparative merits of the two physicians from observing their practice? If every one, who is tempted by a mere preference, or by pride of

opinion to practice the interference referred to, should put to himself such questions as these, he would at least be less positive in his opinions, and less zealous in his efforts to unsettle the confidence of others in the physicians whom they employ.

Let me not be understood to mean that interference is proper in no case whatever. There are cases, in which it is not only allowable, but it is even an imperative duty. If you see a friend confiding in a quack, or an unskilful and ignorant practitioner, it is your duty to persuade him to relinquish such a misplaced confidence. But you must remember that the evidence upon which you act should be clear and satisfactory, and that no mere preference can justify such an interference, however strong that preference may be. So also, if you have a friend, who trusts his own life and that of his family in the hands of an intemperate practitioner, it is a case which calls loudly for the warnings of friendship. But in this case, you must have better evidence of the fact, upon which your advice is based, than mere suspicion, or vague reports.

Some of those, who are fond of practising the interference under consideration, hesitate not to make the most severe and reckless attacks upon the professional reputation of physicians. Indeed, such attacks are quite common in all circles. Though the non-professional observer, as you have seen, is not capable of estimating correctly the results of medical practice, many are in the habit of expressing their opinions upon this subject freely, and sometimes very harshly, especially when any case comes to a fatal issue, In such a case the busy partisans of other physicians are ready to cast blame upon the practitioner who has attended upon it, though all they may know in relation to it may be the idle rumors which come from gossiping tongues. The

interests of the physician are often seriously injured by the reckless opinions thus expressed by men, who, though wholly incompetent to judge in such matters, from their wealth and standing have considerable influence..

The professional reputation of medical men seems to be considered by common consent aș fair game for the shafts of all, whether high or low, learned or unlearned. Although the charge of mal-practice is a serious charge, especially when it has relation to the death of a patient, it is exceedingly common to hear this charge put forth without any hesitation, and in the most positive manner. So common is it, that it awakens but little feeling; and, though it be a shameful enormity, it seldom meets with any rebuke. A very severe rebuke was once administered by a judge in Massachusetts to a lawyer, for hinting at the charge of mal-practice against a physician, who was one of the parties in a case before the Court. The insinuation was intended as a sort of make-weight for the advantage of his client. The judge at once inquired of the lawyer, if he intended to make that a point, giving him to understand, that if he did, he would be expected to produce evidence bearing upon it. The lawyer said that he did not. You will withdraw that point then,' said the judge, 'and indulge in no farther remarks upon it.' Very soon, however, he made the same insinuation again. The judge interrupted him, and remarked, that, as a professional man's reputation was of the highest value to him, and was even the means of his livelihood, he would not suffer it to be wantonly attacked in any case; and he told the lawyer, that, as he had twice brought the charge of mal-practice against this physician, he should not permit him to go on with his plea, till he had withdrawn it in writing. It would be well if the same regard for the value of professional reputation were

felt by all our judges, and by all the wise and influential in the community.

Let me not be understood to claim, that the merits of physicians should not be canvassed at all by the community. There should be freedom of opinion upon this subject; and, when it will accomplish any good purpose, there should be freedom also in expressing that opinion. But the opinions of those who are ignorant of the subjects to which they relate, and who are not in possession of the facts in the case, ought at least to be uttered with some degree of modesty, and a mere blind preference is no justification of the bold opinionating, and the busy interference, which are so common with the train of zealous partizans, which some physicians draw after them.

Some in their zeal carry their interference even into the chamber of the sick, and disturb its quiet with debates in regard to the propriety of the practice which is pursued. To say nothing of the evil resulting from the excitement thus produced, the influence of the physician over the mind of the patient, which, as you will see in another chapter, is sometimes of great importance, is often destroyed in this way. Hope is as real a cordial to the sick as any restorative medicine that can be given. And the meddler, who attempts to destroy the confidence of a patient in his physician, and thus take from him the hope that he will be relieved by his skill, does as cruel an act as if he entered the sick room and snatched from the very lips of the enfeebled, languishing, and perhaps dying man, the cordial draught which was to revive him.

Some are zealous in their recommendation of medicines to the sick, and perhaps even urge the patient to take them without the knowledge of the attending physician. Such meddlers have no scruples in regard to this interference

with the physician's course, so long as the responsibility of the case remains upon his hands; but the moment that it is proposed to them to take the responsibility upon themselves, they shrink from it, notwithstanding the confidence and earnestness with which they urge the use of their favorite remedies.

It is amusing to see what various, and even opposite measures are recommended by different persons in the same case. The friends of a patient, who are anxious that everything should be done to save a life so valuable and dear to them, are often perplexed and troubled by the great variety of remedies urged upon them, and the plausible reasons, and the asserted cures, upon which these recommendations are based. And not a little firmness is required to resist the importunity of these meddlers, especially as it is often prompted by undoubted kindness. But the welfare of the patient demands it, and no fear of giving offence should hinder from pursuing the proper course. The adequate remedy in such circumstances is to thank such meddlers for their kindness, and tell them that the measures which they recommend shall be mentioned to the physician, and, if he thinks proper, they shall be used.

Some are disposed to restrict physicians in regard to the medicines which they shall give. While the practitioner should avoid a useless war with the notions and caprices of his employers, and should sometimes even yield to them in unessential matters, it is ordinarily not only compromising his own dignity and independence, but is doing an absolute injury to the patient, to make any concessions on this point. The omission of some remedy or measure, in obedience to prejudice, may prove very injurious, and even in some cases fatal. As a general rule, therefore, the physician should claim his right to pursue his own course, independent