PATIENT NUMBER FIVE.
Dr. Hunter’s Generosity.
No man cared less for the profits of the medical profession, or more for the honor thereof, than the great Dr. John Hunter. He was honest, honorable, and simple in his every day life. His works, which contributed more to the science of medicine than any other writings during a thousand years, were simply announced as by John Hunter. A plain door plate, with the same name, announced his residence. Money was a secondary consideration to him. The following shows that he desired a professional brother to so consider it:—
“Dear Brother: The bearer needs your advice. He has no money, and you have plenty; so you are well met.
“Yours, John Hunter.”
To a poor tradesman from whom he had received twenty guineas for performing a surgical operation upon his wife, he returned nineteen guineas, having learned with what difficulty and extreme self-denial the husband had raised the money.
“I sent back nineteen guineas, and kept the twentieth,” said he, in apology for retaining even the one, “that they might not be hurt with an idea of too great an obligation.”
Where is the other man, or class of men, who would have returned the money, honestly earned, as agreed upon beforehand, unasked?
Generous at Another’s Expense.