The payment of his trouble is base ingratitude.
When the patient is in grievous pain the time is opportune
For a keen, sharp-witted doctor to make a good fortune.
Let him profit by the sufferer’s aches and gather in the money,
For the ant gets winter provender and the summer bee its honey.”
Our ancient friends had no pity for charlatans, however. They rightfully abused all medical impostors, as we read in the precepts of Salerno’s school:
“Il n’est par d’ignorant, de chartatan stupide,
D’histron imposteur, ou de Juif fourbe avide,
De sorciere crasseuse ou de barbier bavard,
De faussiare inpudent, ou de moine cafard,