The Troubles of a Doctor.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 96, 15 October 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Troubles of a Doctor.

There is a very prevalent idea that a doctor has an easy time of it, and amasses a fortune quicker than most people; but this would seem to be a very mistaken notion of a conversation which a "Spare Moments" representative recently had with his medical man is to be relied upon. ■"My dear fellow," said the doctor, "'you have no idea what we have to put up with. If I call to see a patient frequently, I am abused for 'trying to run up a bill'; if I don't it is 'shameful neglect.' If I manage to get to church, and am called out, I hear afterwards, 'Working the Bob Sawyer dodge on Sundays—eh, doctor?' If my wife calls on people, 'it is because she is trying to get patiente for me'; if she doesn't •it is because she is too stuck up.' "If I cure a patient, quickly, I get credit, you say? Oh, dear no! it is then 'the patient wasn't half as bad as the doctor tried to make out; why, he was quite well in a week': fcut, on the other hand, should the case develop serious complications, the remark is at once heard, 'Ah, the doctor never understood the* malady; in fact, he was worse when he had been taking the medicine a week than when we called him in.'

"If I suggest a consultation, it ; s only because I don't know what is the matter; if I pooh-pooh the idea as unnecessary, I am 'afraid of showing my ignorance.' I am expected to, so to speak, cast a horoscope on a baby's life, and toll ite mother what its ailments will be. If I can't do that 'I cannot possibly know very m*ch.' I am expected to foresee all the 'ill that the flesh is heir to,' six months before they come. " I once lost a patient whom I treated for rheumatism that came on three months later. In all cases, if they get worse, the fault lies in the medicine; if they get well, it is 'goodness of Providence.' If I send in my bill, they say " he is in a terrible hurry for his money'; if I don't 'it is so un-ininsines6-like. J But we get well paid, do you say? My dear sir, if I received payment for one-half I do, I should die from shock."