DOCTORS' FEES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 9

DOCTORS' FEES.

Sir, —I supposo that '.'Silcnce Being , Goldon," and having made a very bad case for the defence, it is but natural i that "Lapidator" should desire to retiro behind that scfcen of silence which has afforded such an unassailable Btrongbold to many another. . I submit that it is not true, nor has "Lapidator"- in the least proven his caso, that the Church is opposed to progress in scieneo or other things than evil. It is against the abuse, and not tho liso of surgery that its voico is heard speaking. Unbiased minds rccogniso that tho Church has been tho nursery anil depository of learning in every age, and not its destroyer. , But all this is quito besido tho point. "Lapidator's" answer to my first question, to my mind, only establishes tho moro than abundant room and neod for Dean Darby's protest. Ho virtually admits in his answer that many opera-, tions aro entirely unnecessary—that tho doctors thomsclves can't agreo as to when an operation is necessary and when it is not. If they can't_ agree,, can ho wonder soino cleric urging the people to "Look before they leap on to the operating-table"? 'I'hs question was not whether it was "wittingly or "unwittingly" that tho doctors mado mistakes in the, operations. It was whether .or no mistakes were made. "Lapidator" admits thero aro many mistakos, and this is, after all, only what the Dean said. As to his answer to tho second question, whether tho fees wero too high, why, tho man must bo a humorist. I'ruo, it is that medical fees' "have remained unaltered" while other things have advanced. AVas there room for any advancement when for a three or four hours' operation surgeons charge as high as 75 guineas, and take absolutely no risk. When for a lifteon-1

minutes' job they get ten guineas, and more, if they think they can squeezo it. When a man comos in, says good day to you, and akks how you are, goes out again, and charges 7s. Gd. for it, I say, "Is thero room for advancement in their fees?" Surely, if the fees wero reasonable, thoro would bo no such correspondence possible as has appeared in your columns on tho subject. And, again, I say it is timo public opinion was stirred and tho doctors forced to' bring their fees within tho realms of reason and fairness. —I am, etc., HALT AND LAME.