Beecher’s Advice to Young Doctors.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 February 1870, Page 7

Beecher’s Advice to Young Doctors.

Henry Ward Beecher gives young doctors the following advice :—“ It is nature that cures. The less a doctor does the better for his patient. It is the doctor’s business to take the credit of what nature does. Cultivate a look of mystery. Every mother of a sick child studies the doctor’s face. Come in softly, but with the air of a mild conqueror. Look piercingly at the patient. Then look from one to another of the persons present. Say to the nurse, in a low tone, ‘ I think you have a right view of the easeand before you leave say to the mother, ‘ I could not have done morefor the case- myself-than yoh have done.’’ If the child gets well, as it will, nine times in ten, if" you let it alone, you will haver the credit in that family of extraordinary skill. If it dies, it: will only bring out the moral view, ‘We must all die. When one’s time comes no skill can cure,’ etc.But if you really mean to-try tire medicine' dodge, you must choose your school. If you are to be an allopathic, you need but three things : opium, calomel, and antimony. Anything, that cannot be reached by them ought not to- be cured. With these three can slay all diseases or all the patients.; and in either case there ■ is an end of suffering. If you select the ■ homoeopathic treatment,, you have only to buy a manual and a box,—about as large as a cigar box—of pillules or tinctures. . After a little time, you can - put pili to system as rapidly as the post-office clerk can. - distribute the names and boxes; If silence • and mystery are not your forte , you may have equal success by judicious talking. . Many people can be talked out of anything,. If laudatory words do not abate symptoms,, they may increase reputation. The patient may die, hut,, if those that still live think that you are the most knowing doctor that ever- they met (and 1 it is- your fault if they do not), then you are-sure of being called, again. Always have-ant eye to the future. Whoever dies, see-that the living like you.. Dead men; furnish- no practice,”