Be kind to little children. Women and children furnish the greater part of our patrons. Men do not count for much in the practice of medicine,—unless you are a G-U specialist. I have always found that where grandma and the children liked me, that I had no trouble in getting practice or in collecting my money.
Do not pad your accounts. Charge what you consider your services worth, and then stick to it. Deal a square hand to all. The golden rule is just as bright and as true today as it was thousands of years ago, and it is not recorded that any man was ever hung that lived up to it. After you have done your full duty demand that your patrons do their duty by you. Keep after the money that is justly due you. Get money; but get it honestly. You will be criticised by some, and cussed by others, but in the words of Carrie Nation, "Why care for the criticism of men who change and die?"
And finally remember, that in this world there is nothing that will pay dividends equal to smiles—unless it is gall, and do not forget the injunction of the prophet, "Physician, 'heel' thyself," lest in old age the world will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou—into the poor house."
CHAPTER III
PROPER TIME TO COLLECT.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun."—Eccle. 3: 1.
The time to collect depends to a considerable extent upon the location and the class of patronage. In cities, as a rule, collections should be made weekly, as many patrons move frequently, and you lose track of them. It is proper and wise to present your bill as early after the service is rendered as possible. Bills should be presented to working men at the time of their regular payday. In country practice I have found it best to send statements monthly and to require settlement quarterly by cash or note. I have adopted this rule in a cotton country where it was the rule to only pay the doctor once a year, if at all. Farmers and planters can borrow money to pay the doctor as well as they can to pay farm hands and cotton-choppers, or at least can give notes bearing interest.
When a man consults you and commences to run down some other doctor, require him to pay cash. He's in bad with the other fellow. Dead-beats should never be temporized with. Don't do a man's practice in the hope that he will pay you, when you know that he has beat the other fellow.
While every case is to a certain extent a rule unto itself, yet, there are a few essentials that are necessary to make a success in collecting. The two principle rules are, to keep everlastingly after them, and never to lose their friendship. So long as you are on good terms there is hope.