Every bit of furniture for the private office having been carefully selected its arrangement should be studied.
When the patient first enters the private office he should be able to see your diploma. He should also sit where he can notice it as he consults you and every other object within his vision during the consultation should be picked so as to avoid attracting his attention to anything foreign to his visit and its purpose.
Two chairs are placed near the desk, one an easy chair for yourself, a revolving chair being preferable, and a straight-backed leather-upholstered chair for the patient. In placing these chairs be careful of two things: let the strongest light shine over your own shoulder and bring the face of the patient out in clear detail; and let your own chair be higher than the patient’s so that he looks slightly upward to meet your direct gaze. For the last mentioned point there is a sound psychological reason; to control any dialogue with another person place yourself on a higher level than he and unconsciously he will obey the suggestion and lift his thought to meet yours, offering it rather than commanding with it. The light is arranged for its value in observing, as a matter of diagnosis, every indication in expression, gesture, and skin coloring.
Hanging back of the desk where it may be easily reached but where its gruesome suggestion will not obtrude itself upon the nerves of the sensitive without your deliberate intention, have a vertebral column for demonstration purposes. There are many times when it is necessary to show a subluxation as it would occur.
Beside the desk and within easy reach of your hand should be placed at least a single book-case section containing those reference works which you frequently consult. The contents of this section will be considered later; suffice now to say that they should be well bound and should be so placed that if a doubtful point arise they can be consulted at once without your rising. I am not of the opinion that a pretension of unlimited knowledge is a valuable professional asset. It seems better frankly to seek authoritative information, even in the presence of the patient, than to allow an error to creep into your work, and your more intelligent patients will appreciate your care. Furthermore, this placing of your books is convenient when you are alone and considering the cases which have passed before you during the day. It tempts to study.
The desk should hold a typewriter, significant of business methods, and a card file for case records. Incidentally, you should have neat bill-heads and printed stationery for all correspondence, though blank white paper is better than over-ornate design or profuse coloring.
On the wall hang a few good anatomical and physiological charts upon which may be pointed out certain facts for the instruction of patients. It may be suggested that these hang on racks so that the surface charts may be easily changeable and that those ordinarily exposed to view be such as will avoid unpleasant suggestion of any kind. For instance, an X-Ray chart of the body showing the skeleton is but one degree less repugnant to the average person than the bones themselves. Though your college training has robbed the subject of all emotion, for you, take thought for the feelings of your visitors.
Adjusting Tables
For all purposes the best type of bench now on the market is probably that composed of two sections, one fixed and the other—the rear one—sliding on a track. Both sections should be adjustable at various angles to the plane of the base and some of the best tables are made so as to permit changes in the distance from the floor to the entire top or to any part of the top, a great advantage in that the table height may thus be made to suit the height of the adjuster.
An abdominal support is now indispensable but must be so elastic as not to interfere with the adjustment. Leather upholstery is more sanitary than plush and has come into general use.