DOCTORS’ BILLS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1311, 19 April 1883, Page 2

DOCTORS’ BILLS.

“ I don’t mind paying the butcher’s or the baker’s bill, but when it Comes to the doctor’s I don’t like paying at all.” This is a remark we heard a friend make the other day, and we have frequently heard many people say the same sort of thing. Why they should grudge paying the doctor his fees we cannot tell, when no one earns his living at the expense of so much personal comfort. Let the night be ever so dark, dreary, wet, cold, or inclement; let the storm rage ever so fierce, the rain fall ever so heavily, the doctor has frequently to leave his warm bed, and travel miles, often along dangerous roads, to relieve the sufferings and often to save the precious life of some dear one. How anxiously his foot-step is listened for, how welcome hia presence when a beloved one lies in agony and in desperate case ; when it is known that in his skill alone, by God’s help, lies the only chance of relief and life. How hi® face is scanned, hia every move watched j how eagerly his words are listened to a* lie calmly makes the necessary enquiries and tenderly examines the suffering patient. And then, when skill has triumphedmd the poor sufferer lies calm and tranquil, what gratitude w« feel to him who has done this at the expense of so much comfort, Frequently after hjs return from a long, fatiguing, and sleepless night journey, before he can even partake of refreshment and rest, another urgent summons calls him away. Weary, jaded, and tired out, though he may be, he has yet to be kind, courteous, and gentle. Then what a depressing effect it must have, to be constantly face to face with suffering and sorrow. Indeed the doctor’s life is by no means a pleasant one. Again it should be remembered that his skill is only the result of long and laborious study, patient research and investigation, combined with kind and gentle feeling. Surely if any “servant is worthy of hia hire ” it is the doctor.