“There’s no doubt about the merits of the treatment, Mr. ——. The only thing, as I said before, that holds me back from recommending it generally, is its high cost. Besides I don’t, as a usual thing, care to handle cases of that nature.”
Smart doctor! He has got his human fly stuck on a gummed trap from which he couldn’t extricate himself if he would, and he doesn’t want to. If this wonderful treatment will restore his lost sexual power, and the doctor, in whom he has strong confidence, has told him it would, he’s going to have it. There is a little more conversation of an innocuous sort, and then the doctor says:
“I’ll tell you what I will do, Mr. ——. While I am not certain that the cost of the treatment may not run as high as $1,500, you may pay me $1,000 and I will endeavor to get the case closed for that amount. Should it be necessary to pay the other $500 I’ll leave it to your honor, but I am reasonably confident that I can make the necessary arrangements for $1,000.”
This looks good to the man who has rosy visions of a restoration to the fire and vigor of youth, and he generally draws a check on the spot. If his bank account will not admit of this he gives a “memorandum,” at least that is what the doctor calls it, and the deal is closed.
There are similar ways of getting additional fees from patients who have already paid well for the original treatment. One man (or woman) needs the eyes looked after and fitted with proper glasses, another should have the teeth fixed up, another requires a special surgical appliance, while still another should have a special prescription compounded.
The doctor always has a list of experts to whom he directs patients on the fee-sharing plan, and these fees are never over-modest. To the doctor’s credit be it said that he invariably warns such patients that if they want the best they must expect to pay well for it. It will undoubtedly cost considerable money, but the results will justify the expenditure.
“Your eyes certainly need attention, Mrs. ——, and it would be a good plan to have it done while you are here in Chicago. The longer you put it off, the more serious the complication will become. But, whatever you do, don’t go to one of these cheap occulist fakirs. They are liable to ruin your eyesight.”
“Who is a good man, Doctor?” is the natural inquiry.
“There are a number of able, competent oculists here. Dr. Seestraight stands at the head of his profession, and is probably the most satisfactory of the lot. I’ll give you a card to him, if you wish. He has always attended to my eyes, and has given satisfaction.”
This proffer is gladly accepted and when the patient leaves the doctor’s office she carries a note of introduction to Dr. Seestraight. It is an innocent looking note, but it contains a hidden cipher which gives the oculist a tip as to the fee which he may safely name. This cipher is generally made in flourishes, under the doctor’s signature, unintelligible to the patient, mere flourishes as it were, but perfectly plain to Dr. Seestraight. When the latter collects his fee he sends half of it to the physician who recommended the patient, and the incident is closed.