No class of men so erroneously estimated as physicians. Object of this chapter to show how the community can judge of them correctly. Education of physicians—evidences of it. Medical education practically despised by a large portion of the public. Standing of medical man among his brethren criterion of merit. Difficulty in getting their unbiased opinions. Certain mental qualities essential to skill in the practice of medicine. How the common observer can detect and measure these qualities. Observe them as exhibited in regard to subjects which he understands in common with the physician. Illustration from surgery. Illustrations of same truth in relation to various characteristics of medical men. Formation of opinions—credulous—sceptical—hasty and changeable—cautious and tenacious—strong and ardent. How can test one’s habits of observation. Asking many questions no sure proof of accurate and minute observation. Enquiries of different physicians about an article of curiosity. Same rule for judging of the measures of the physician, as we have applied to his opinions. A genius in medicine. Innate skill. Rules which have been pointed out for estimating comparative merits of physicians not in common use with the public. A change necessary in this respect. Cannot easily be effected. Many physicians would be opposed to such a change—would rather false tests continue to be applied. But the change can be effected.
CHAPTER XI.
MEANS OF REMOVING QUACKERY,
The credulous, ignorant, and novelty-seeking, not the only persons imposed upon by quackery. Many of the judicious and intelligent also. Efforts to undeceive the public on this subject have been often faulty. Too much reliance on popular knowledge of anatomy, physiology, dietetics, &c. This should only be auxiliary to other means. Relied upon alone, leads to error. Individual influence of physicians in showing their friends their mistakes in connecting cause and effect in medicine. This influence to be exerted upon the intelligent who uphold quackery. Too much sarcasm and ridicule and invective used against quackery. Credulity of the public takes a license from that of medical men. Certificates of physicians in favor of nostrums. Secret medicines put forth by physicians. Spirit of quackery in the medical profession. Exhibited in various ways. Quite prevalent, crippling the profession in its warfare with empiricism. Reform needed. Can be effected. The stable and intelligent can help in effecting it, by promoting medical education—by sustaining the organizations of the profession—by renouncing fallacious means of estimating professional merit—by favoring strict observance of the rules of intercourse among physicians. Formation of the American Medical Association, an important movement in the destruction of quackery.
CHAPTER XII.
INTERCOURSE OF PHYSICIANS,
Erroneous views in regard to consultations. “Jury of doctors.” Dictation not consultation. Giving opinions in relation to the past treatment. Offices of the consulting, and of the attending physician defined. Freedom in consultation necessary. Between enemies, useless. Should be alone in consultation. Intrigues of dishonorable practitioners. Supposed want of agreement—favoring the impression for base purposes. Attributing changes, good or bad, to some remedy for selfish ends. Failing to defend a medical brother when circumstances fairly demand it. Making comparisons between cases. Undue attentions to the patients of others. Conduct of some when called to see the patient of another in case of unnecessary alarm. Physicians supposed to be too much attached to etiquette. Not so usually. Differences and quarrels of physicians—circumstances giving rise to them. Facility with which deception is practised in medicine. Peculiar relation of the physician to his employers. Cliques. Sectarian and other associations. Avoiding quarrels. Relations of elder physicians to their brethren.