Physician and patient

by Worthington Hooker

An additional interest is given to his investigations by the consideration, that if he discover a fact, or help to establish one, he adds to the resources which our art can apply to the relief of human misery. To experience this pleasure, so gratifying to the humane and benevolent mind, he needs not to make any grand discovery. The joy which Jenner realized in the contemplation of the benefits of his discovery must have been almost overpowering; but the benefit which results to our race from the humblest contribution to medical knowledge is as real though not as great, and is a fitting subject for joy to him who makes it, for it will assuage many a pang and save many a life.

In the practice of medicine, though there is, as you have seen in my first chapter, much uncertainty, there is a high satisfaction in the very exercise of unravelling its perplexities, and in separating, as it can be done by untiring and careful observation, the certain from the uncertain, the true from the false. And though much is left to nature by the judicious physician, still there is much pleasure in watching her movements, in removing obstacles which oppose her salutary processes, and in assisting her efforts so far as it may be necessary to do so. This intelligent watch and guidance which medical skill exercises over nature in removing disease is far from being unsatisfactory to the rational practitioner. And then, too, though the general use of heroic remedies is injurious, there are times when the careful observer sees opportunities for employing them to great advantage in arresting morbid processes. And so accustomed is he to make the requisite discriminations, that his efforts in positive medication are well directed, and are almost sure to accomplish their object. He has a satisfaction in such achievements, of which the undiscriminating overdoser knows nothing.

The judicious physician experiences much gratification in the mental management of the sick. I refer not merely to the control which by his tact and skill he exercises over the mind which is manifestly deranged, but also to those multiplied and various mental influences which he exerts so silently, but so effectually, even in ordinary cases of sickness. Besides the pleasurable interest with which he watches the operation of these influences, there is also a high source of gratification in the consciousness of possessing such a power over the minds of his fellow men. Especially is this the case, when the power which he puts forth is exerted upon minds of great refinement, and of a high order of talent.

The results of the practice of the skilful and judicious physician are as a whole very gratifying to him. His vocation is to relieve pain and distress, and to deliver from disease; and when he fails to do this, sad as it is, it is an occasional, we may say a rare exception to the general result. In the great majority of even severe cases, in which the pressure of responsibility is such a burden upon his spirit, and the alternations between hope and fear are often so painfully exciting, his heart is at length gladdened by a favorable issue. The physician is therefore by habit a hopeful, a cheerful, a happy man. As such he enters the sick room, the scene of the triumphs of his art. As such he mingles in the family and social circles of his fellow men, inspiring by his very air and manner cheerfulness in the sad, and hope in the unfortunate and dispirited. The physician then is apt to be not only the sympathising, but the comforting friend.

But not only is the success with which he meets in combatting disease a source of happiness to the physician, but so also especially is the gratification of his humanity and benevolence, in relieving the distresses of his fellow men, and in prolonging their lives. In some cases in which the life which he has struggled to save is a valuable one, the joy which fills his heart at the final successful issue of that struggle no words can express.

It will be observed by the reader that in speaking of the gratification which is derived from the successful treatment of disease, I have had no reference at all to the reputation for success which is awarded to medical men by the community. This may be based upon real merit, or it may not be. When it is not, but is acquired by making false issues before the public, as is too often the case, it is indeed a source of gratification—a gratification, however, which is not only of a low order, but the hold which the possessor has upon it is exceedingly uncertain. He feels it to be so, and is in constant fear that some competitor, practising the same arts, will overmatch him in skill, and filch from him his ill-gotten joys. But on the other hand, the success of the honorable practitioner in acquiring a medical reputation, based as it is upon intelligent grounds, is a source of high gratification, and he has, too, the satisfaction of feeling that it is a permanent possession. True, there are some who employ and praise him from whim and caprice, who from whim and caprice may desert and blame him; but his patients are for the most part those who repose in him an intelligent and firm confidence. And this affords him a gratification, of which the caprices of the world and the intrigues of his brethren cannot despoil him.

The attachments which the physician forms in so many families in the different walks of life are rich sources of happiness. These attachments are generally reciprocal. In some cases the interest which he feels in the patient, beginning in infancy, and extending through many scenes of sickness up to adult age, has accumulated all this time more and more strength and tenderness. Sometimes in the long life of a physician, this interest in some families of patients reaches through three or even four generations. And these intimate attachments bring the physician into very near relation with some characters of rare excellence in the different walks of life. The admiration and the love with which he looks upon such noble spirits, of whom the world is not worthy, and the communion which he is permitted to have with them up to the moment of their departure to a world of bliss, are among the highest sources of the happiness of the physician.

The opportunity which the physician has for observing human character is a prolific source of enjoyment. It opens to him one of the most interesting of all studies, and in his daily intercourse with patients of every variety and degree, he finds no lack of material in illustration of any supposable variation of character.

The nature of the physician’s employment, it must be obvious to the reader, is calculated to fit him eminently to enjoy and to adorn social life. He is commonly the pleasing companion as well as the warm and faithful friend. The freedom of his intercourse with all sorts and conditions of men imparts an ease and a zest to his conversation, and he has an abundance of facts and anecdotes to illustrate every remark which may be made. It is for this reason, as Dr. Rush says, that “physicians in all countries have been the most welcome guests at the tables of the great, and are frequently waited for with the most impatience at clubs and in convivial companies.”

One of the chief sources of the happiness of the physician is the gratitude of his patients. I have already said enough upon this subject, and I would now simply remark, that, though there is much ingratitude which is a sore trial to him, many of his patients gladden him in the midst of his toils and anxieties with tokens of gratitude of the most delightful character. And among these tokens, the testimonials which he receives from the poor, humble as they are, are often more highly prized than the costly and splendid presents of the wealthy.