SPECIALIST IN CHRONIC DISEASES
—— Michigan Avenue
Mr. Thomas Ratcliffe, Eagle Mills, Ia.
Dear Sir: Since writing you last I have been called to —— for consultation in a serious case and will be at the —— hotel on Thursday next. As I can arrange to have a little leisure I would suggest that you meet me there at 11 a.m. so that I may be able to make a satisfactory diagnosis of your case, and thus be in position to advise you intelligently as to the prospects for obtaining relief.
I feel free to make this suggestion as there will be no fee or charge of any kind for this service all my expenses being guaranteed by the parties with whom I am to consult.
Kindly let me hear from you at once as I have many demands upon my time and wish to arrange my schedule to the best advantage.
Yours very truly,
————
The fact that he has not been invited to visit ——, or any other town for consultation purposes does not bother Dr. Wilkinson. It is one of those “harmless prevarications” tolerated and even encouraged, in all professions. It would not be dignified nor ethical for a doctor to start out on the road on a hunt for patients. It is not improper, once having been “called” to another city, to take advantage of the trip to do a little professional business on the side.
Dr. Wilkinson must have an excuse for visiting ——. The most plausible excuse is that he has been invited there in consultation by some brother physician whose name is withheld.