BY JAS. CLARK.
HAPPY DAYS.
MY CHARLES MACKAY.
Come back—come back—thou youthful time !
When joy and innocence were ours,
When life was in its vernal prime,
And redolent of sweetwand flowers.
Como back ! let us roam once more,
Free-hearted through life's pleasant ways,
And gather garlands as of yore.
Come back—come back—ye happy days !
Come back—come back !—'twas pleasant then
To cherish fltith in Love and Truth,
For nothing in dispraise of men
hod soured the temper of our youth;
Come back !—and let us still believe
The gorgeous dream romance displays,
Nor trust the tale that men deceive.
Come back—come back—ye happy clays
Come back, oh freshness of the past !
• When every face seemed fair and kind,
When sunward every eye was cast,
•
And all the shadows fell behind.
Come back! 'twill come; true hearts can turn
Their own Decembers into Mays;
The secret be it oars to learn,
They come—they come—those happy days !
CODE OF ETHICS
Of de American Medical Association, asadopted by
the Iluntinydon County Slidical Society.
CIirTER I.
Ant. /.—Duties of Physicians fu their patients.
1. A physician should not only be ever ready
to obey the calls of the sick, but his mind ought
also to be imbued with the greatness of his mis
sion, and the responsibility he habitually incurs in
its discharge. 'Mei° obligations are more deep and
enduring, because there is no other tribunal than his
own conscience to adjudge penalties for careless
or neglect. Physicians should, therefore, minister
to the sick with due impressions of the importance
of their office; reflecting that the case, the health,
and the lives of those committed to their charge,
depend on their skill, attention and fidelity. They
should study, also, in their deportment, so to unite
tenderness with firmness, and condescension with as
throity, as to inspire tl:c minds of their patients
with gratitude, respect and confidence.
2. Every case committed to the charge of a
physician should be treated with attention, stead
iness, and humanity. Reasonable indulgence should
be granted to the mental imbecility and caprices of
the sick. Secrecy and delicacy, when required by
peculiar circumstances, should be strictly observ
ed; and the familiar and confidential intercourse
to which physicians are admitted in their profes
sional visits, should be used with discretion, and
with the most scrupulous regard to fidelity and
honor. The obligation of secrecy extends beyond
the period of professional services ;—none of the
privacies of personal and domestic life, no infirmi
ty of disposition or flaw of character observed du
ring professional attendance, should ever be divt4-
ed by him except when he is imperatively required
to do so. The force and necessity of this obliga
tion aro indeed so great, that professional men
have, under certain circumstances, been protected
In their observance of secrecy by courts of justice.
3. Frequent visits to the sick are in general
requisite, since they enable the physician to arrive
at a more perfect knowledge of the disease,—to
meet promptly every change which may occur, and
also to tend to preserve the confidence of the pa
tient. But unnecessary visits are to be avoided,
as they give useless anxiety to the patient, tend
to diminish the authority of the physician, find
render him liable to be suspected of interested
motives. •
4. A physic!an should not be fumard to make
gloomy prognostications, because they savour of
empiricism, by magnifying the importance of his
services in the treatment and cure of the disease.
Beebe should not fail, on proper occasions, to give
to the friends of the patient timely notice of dan
ger when it really occurs; and even to the patient
himself, if absolutely necessary. This office,
however, is so peculiarly alanning when executed
by him, that it ought to be declined whenever it
can be assigned to any other person of sufficient
judgment and delicacy. For, the physician should
be the minister of hope and comfort to the sick;
that, by such cordials to the drooping spirit, he may
smooth the bed of death, revive expiring life,
and counteract the depressing influence of those
maladies which often disturb' the tranquillity of
the most resigned in their last moments. The life
of a sick person can be shortened not only by the
acts, but also by the words or the manner of a
physician. It is, therefore, a sacred duty to guard
himself carefully in this respect, and to avoid all
things which have a tendency to discourage the
patient and to depress his spirits.
3. A physician ought not to abandon ti pa
tient because the case is deemed incurable ; for
his attendance may continue to be highly useful to
the patient, and comforting to the relatives around
him, even in the last period of a fatal malady, by
alleviating pain and other symptoms, and by sooth
ing mental anguish. To decline attendance, un
such circumstances, would he sacrificing to fanci
ful delicacy and mistaken liberality, that moral
duty, which is independent of, and far superior to,
ell pecuniary considerations.
§ 6. Consultations should be promov,rl in dif
hrult or protracted cases, as they give rise to con
fidence, energy, and more enlarged rinses in prim . -
tice.
§ 7. The opportunity which a physician not
infrequently enjoys of promoting nil strengthen
lug the good resolutions of his patients, suffering
ander the consequences of vicious conduct, ought
never to be neglected. His counsels, or even re-
Ittionenewel., it'll] give ma:idiot; not nefOltooa iii
'niLngbmi
they he proffered with politeness, and evince a
genuine love of virtue, accompanied by a sincere
interest in the welfare of the person to whom they
aro addressed.
ART. 11.-*9bligations of patients to their physi-
§ 1. The members of the medical profession,
upon whom is enjoined the performance of so ma
ny important and arduous duties towards the com
munity, and who are ramaired to make so many
sacrifices of comtbrt, case, and health, for the
welfare of those who avail themselves of their
services, certainly have a right to expect and re
quire, that their patients should entertain a just
Ruse of the duties which they owe to their medi
cal attendants. .
§ 2. The first duty of a patient is, tOlect as
his medical adviser one who has received a regu
lar professional education. In no trade or occu
pation do mankind rely on the skill of an untaught
artist; and in medicine, confessedly the most dif
ficult and intricate of the sciences, the world ought
not to suppose that knowledge is intuitive.
§ 3. Patients should prefer a physician whose
habits of life are regular, aind who is not devoted
to company, pleasure, or to any pursuit incomput
able with his professional obligations. A patient
should, also, confide the cure of himself and fiun
fly, as much as possible, to one physician, for a
medical man who has become acquaiuted with the
peculiarities of constitution, habits, and predispo
sitions, of those he attends, is more likely to be
successful in his treatment, thou one who does nut
possess that knowledge.
A patient who has thus selected his physician,
should always 'apply for advice in what may appear
to hint trivial eases, Aar the most fatal results often
supervene on the slightest accidents. It is of still
more importance that he should apply for assist
ance in the. forming stage of violent diseases; it
is to a neglect of this precept that medicine owes
much of the uncertainty and imperfection with
which it Lars been reproached.
§ 4. Patients should faithfully and unreserved
ly communicate to their physician the supposed
cause of their disease. This is the more impor
tant, as many ditt.tes of a mental origin, simu
late those depending on external causes, and yet
are only to be cured by ministering to the mind
diseased. A patient should never be afraid of
thus making his physician his friend and adviser;
he should always bear in mind that a medical man
is under the strongest obligations of secrecy.—
Even the female sex should never allow feelings
of shame or delicacy to prevent their disclosing
the seat, symptoms, and causes of complaints pe
culiar to them. However commendable t modest
reserve may be in the common occurrence! of life,
its strict 'observance in medicine is often attended
with the most serious consequences, and a patient
may sink under a painful and loathsome disease,
Which might have been readily prevented had
timely intimation been given to the physician.
§' 5. A patient should never weary his physi
chm with a tedious detail of events or matters not
appertaining to his disease. Even as relates to
his actual symptoms, lie will convey much more
real information by giving clear answers to inter
rogatories, than by the most minute account of his
own framing. Neither should he obtrude upon
his physician the details of his business nor tine
history of his family concerns.
§ 6. The obedience of a patient to the pre
scriptions of his physician' should be prompt and
implicit. Ile should never permit his own crude
opinions as to their fitness, to influence his atten
tion to them. A failure in one particular may
render an otherwise judicious treatment danger
ous, and even fatal. This remark is equally up
plicable to diet, drink, nod exercise. As patients
become convalescent, they are very apt to suppose
that the rules prescribed for them may be disre
garded, and the consequence, but too often, is a
relapse. Patients shonlal never allow themselves
to be persuaded to take any medicine whatever,
that may be reconnuendml to them by the self
constituted doctors and doctoresses, who are so
frequently met with, and who pretend to possess
infallible remedies for the curb of every disease.
However simple some of their prescriptions may
appear to he, it often happens that they al, pro
ductive of much mischief, and in all cas , .., they
are injurious, by contravening the plan of treat
ment adapted by the physician.
§ 7. A patient should, if possible, avoid even
the friendly visits of a physician who is not nttend
ing him—and when he does receive them, he
should never converse on the subject of his dis
ease, as an observation may he made, without
any intention or interference, which may destroy
his confidence in the course he is pursuing, and
induce him to neglect the directions prescribed to
him. A patient should never send for a consult
ing physician without the express consent of his
own medical attendant. It is of great importance
that physicians should net iu concert; for, although
their modes of treatment may be attended with
equal success when employed. singly, yet conjointly
they are very likely to be productive of disastrous
results.
' §9. When a patient wishes to dismiss his
physician, justice and common courtesy require
that he should declare his reasons fur so doing.
§ 9. Patients should always, when practicable,
send for their physician in the molinag, before his
usual trout• of going out ;. tor, by being early aware
of tho visits hi has to pay during the day, the
physical' is able to apportion his time in such a
manner us to prevent an interference of engage
wrests. Patients should also avoid calling on their
medical advisor unnecessarily during the hours
devoted to meals or sleep. They should always
be in readiness to receive the visits of their phy
sician, as the detention of a feu• minutes is often
of 104043 i11C0114016012C0 to him. .
HUNTINGDON, PA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1851.
§ 10. A patient should, after his recovery, en
tertain ajust and enduring sense of the value of
the services rendered him by his physician; for
these WO of such a characrer,that no mere pecu
niary acknowledgment can repay or cancel them.
C HAPTER IT,
ART. 1.-Duties for the support of professional
character.
§ 1. Every individual, on entering the profes
sion, as he becomes thereby entitled to all its priv
ileges and immunities, incurs an obligation to ex
ert bin best abilities to maintain its dignity And
lanumr, to exalt its standing, and to extend the
bounds of its usefulness. Ile should, therefore,
observe strictly, inteli laws arc instituted for the
government of its members ; —should avoid all
contumelious and sarcastic remarks relative to the
• faculty, as a body; and while, by unwearied dili
gence, lie resorts to every honourable means of
enriching the science, he should entertain a due
respect tar his seniors, who have, by their labours,
brought it to tint elevated condition iu which he
finds 'it.
§ '2. There is no profession, from the members
of which greater purity of character, and a higher
standard of moral excellence are required, than
the medical; and to attain such eminence, is a
duty every physician ones alike to his profession,
and to his patients. It is due to the latter, 'as
without it he cannot command their respect and
confidence, and to both, because no scientific at
tainments can compensate for the want of correct
moral principles. It is also incumbent upon the
faculty to be temperate in all things, for the prac
tice of physic requires the unremitting exercise of
a clear and vigorous understanding; and, on
emergencies, for which no professional man should
be unprepared, a steady hand, an acute , eye, cod
nil unclouded head may be essential to the well
being, and even to the life, of a fellow creature.
§ .3. It is derogatory to the dignity of the pro
fession, to resort to public advertisements or pH
! vete cards or hand-bills, inviting the attention of
individuals affected with particular disease —pnb
licly offering advice and medicine to the poor
gratis,.or protnising radical cures; or to publish
cases and operations in the daily prints, or suffer
such publications to be made ;—to invite laymen
to be present at operatious,—to boast of cures and
remedies,—to adduce certificates of skill and sue
, cess, or to perform any other similar acts. These
are the ordinary practices of empirics, and are
highly reprehensible in a regular physician.
§ 4. Equally derogatory to professional char
acter is it, fur a physician to hold a patent fur any
surgical instrument, or medicine; or to dispense it
secret nostrum, whether it be the composition or
exclusive property of himself, or others. For, if
such nostrum be of real efficacy, any concealment
regarding it is inconsistent with beneficence and
professional liberality; and if mystery alone give
it value and importance, such craft implies either
disgraceful ignorance, or fraudulent avarice. It
is also reprehensible for physicians to give certifi
cates attesting the efficacy of patent or secret
medicines, or in any way to promote the use of
them.
Ant. ll—Professioncd ; tervices of physicians to
each other'.
§ 1. All practitioners of Medicine, their wives,
and their children while under the paternal care,
are entitled to the gratuitous services of any one
or mare of the faculty residing near them, whose
assistance may be desired. A physician afflicted
with disease is usually an incompetent judge of
his own case; and the natural aniiety and solici
tude which he experiences at the sickness of a
wife, a child, or any one who, by the tics of con
sanguinity, is rendered peculiarly dear to him,
tend to obscure his judgment, and produce timidi
ty and irresolution in his practice. Under such
circumstances, medical men are peculiarly depot
dent upon each other, and kind offices mid profess
sional aid should always be cheerfully and gratui
tously afforded. Visits ought not, however, to be
obtruded officiously; as such unasked civility may
give rise to embarrassment, or interfere with that
chasten on which confidence depends. BM, if a
distant member of the faculty, whose.c.iremustan
ces are affluent ; request attendance, and an hono
rarium be efilired, it should not he declined; for
no pecuniary obligation ought to be imposed, which
the party receiving it would wish not to incur.
Ant, lII.—Of the dudes of pkisicions as respects
ricatious offices.
§ I. The affairs of life, the pursuit of health,
and the various accidents and contingencies to
which a medical man is peeuliarly expdsed, some
times require hint temporarily to witbdraw from his
duties to his patients, and to revs •, -moe of his
professional brethren to officiate Mt Luu. Com
pliance with this request is an act of courtesy
which should always be performed .vitlt the utmost
consideration fur the interest awl character of the
family phy,iiian, and when exercked for a short
period, all the pecuniary obligations for such ser
vice should he awarded to him. But if a member
of the profession neglect -his bushier, in quest of
pleasure and amusement, he cannot be considered
as entitled to thwadvantaws of the frequent and
long-continued exercise of this fraternal cottrtesy,
without awarding to the physician who officiates
the fees arising from the discharge of his profession
al duties.'
In obstetrical and important surgical cases, which
give rise. to unusual listigne, anxiety and responsi
bility, it is just • that the fees accruing therefrom ,
should be awarded to the physicists who officiates.'
ART.. IV.—Of the duties of phricions in regard
to consultations.
§ 1. A regular medical education furnishes the
only Presionptive evidence of professional abilities
and acquirements, and ought to be the only ac
knowledged right of an individual to the exercise
and honours of his profession. Nevertheless, as in
consultations the good of the patient is-the sole ob
'ject in view, and this is often dependent on person
al confidence, no intelligent regular practitioner,
who has a license Co practice front some medical
board of known and acknowledged respectability,
recognized by this association, and who is in good
moral and professional standing iu the place in ,
which he resides, should be titatilliously excluded
front fellowship, or his aid refused in Consultation,
when it is requested by the patient. But nu one
can be considered as a regular practitioner, or alit
associate iu consultation, whose practice is based
on an exclusive dogma, to the rejection of the ac
inudated experience of the profission, and of the
aids actually famished by anatomy, physiology,
pathology, and organic chemistry.
§ 2. In consultations, no rivalshjp or jealousy
should be indulged; candour, probity, and all due
respect should be exercised towards the physician
having charge of the case.
3. In consultations, the attending physician
should be the first to propose the necessary ques
tions to the sick; after which the consulting phy
sician should have the opportunity to make such
farther inquiries of the patient as may he necessary
to satisfy him of the true character of the case.—
Both physicians Should then retire to a private
place for deliberation; and the one first in atten
dance should communicate the directions agreed
upon to the patient or his friends, as well as any
opinions which it may be thought proper to ex
press. But no statement or discussion of it should
take place before the patient or his friends, except
in the presence of all the faculty attending, and by
their common consent; and no opinions (wpm:i
sms/kat/ens should be delivered, which are not the
result of previous deliberation and concurrence.
§ 4. In consultations, the yhysician in atten
dance should deliver his opinion first; and when
there ate several consulting, they should deliver
their opinions in the order in which they have been
called its. No decision, however, should restrain
else attending physician from making such varia
tions in the mode of treatment, as any subsequent
utv , xpected change in the character of the case
may demand. But such variation, and the reasons
fur it, ought to be carefully detailed Ist the next
meeting in consultation. The 'same privilege be
longs also to the consulting physician If he is sent
for its an emergency, when the regular attendant is
out of the way, and similar explanations must be
made by him at the next consultation.
5. The utmost punctuality should be obser
ved in the visits of physicians when they are to hold
consultation, together, and this is generally prac
ticable, fur society has been considerate enough to
allow the plea of a professional engagement to take
precedence of all others, and to bo on ample reason
for the relinquishment of any present occupation.
But, as professional engagements may
. sometimes
interfere, and delay one of the partiosohe physi
cian who first arrives should wait for his associate
a reasonable period, after which the consultation
should be considered as postponed to a new ap
pointment. Ifit be the attentlingpin•sician who is
present, he will of course see the patient and pre
scribe ; but if it be the consulting one, he should
retire, except in case of emergency, or when he
has been called front a considerable distance, in
which latter case he limy examine the patient, and
give his opinion in n•ritiny and under oral, to be
delivered to his associate.
§ G. In consultations, theoretical discussions
should be avoided, as occasioning perplexity and
loss of time. Fur there may be much diversity of
opinion concerning speculative points, with perfect
agreement in those modes of practice which are
founded, not on hypothesis, but on experience and
observation.
§ 7. All discussions in consultation . should be
held as secret and confidential. Neither by words
nor manner should any of the parties tel a consul
tation assert or insinuate, that any tam of the treat
ment pursued did not receive his assent. The
respomibility must be equally• divided between the
medical attendants,—they must equally sham the
credit of success as well its the blame of failure.
§ N. Should an irreconcilable diversity of opin
ion occur when seferal physicians are called upon
to consult together, the opinion of the majority
should be considered as decisive ; but if the num
bers he equal on each side, then the decision should
rest with the attending physician. It elan more
over, sometimes happen, that two physicians can
not agree in their Views of the nature of a ease, stud
the treatment to be pursued. This is a circum
stance much to be deplored, and should always he
avoided, if possible, by mutual coneegions, ns far
as they con be justified by a conscientious regard
fn• the dictates of judgment. But, in the event of
its oecurreuce, a thin" physician should, if practi
cable, be called to act as umpire ; and, if circum
stances prevent the adoption of this course, it must
he left to the patient to select the physician in whom
he is most willing to confide. But, as every phy
sician relics upon the rectitude of his judgment, he
should, when left in the minority, politely and con
sistently retire from any further delilwrat bin in the
consultation, or participation in the management
of the case.
§ 9. As circumstances sometimes occur to ren
der a specia: consultation desirable,. when the con
tinued attendance of two physicians might be ob
jectionable p) the patient, the. member of the facul
ty whose assistance is required in such eases, should
sedulously guard against all Wore unsolicited at
tendance. • As such consultations require an ex
traordinary portion both of tittle mall attention, at
least a double honorarium may he reasonably ex
pected.
§ 10. A physician who k called mu to con
sult, should observe the most honountblettud scru
pulous regard for the character and standing of the
practiti6ncr in attendance: the practice of the let-
~ ~•
~~ ,
_~
~,~ ~ ~ ~ ~ '
_ ~ ~
~,
te~~ ~ , ~
ter, if noceisary, should be justified as far as it can
be, consistently with a conscientious regard for
truth, and no hint or insinuation should be thrown
oat which could impair the confidence reposed in
him, oralfect his reputation. The consulting phy
sician should also carefully refrain from any of
those extraordinary attentions or assiduities, which
are too often practiced by the dishonest for the base
purpose of gaining applause, or ingratiating them
selves-into the thvour of fiunilies and individuals.
Air?. V.—Duties of physicians in cascsnf
§ I. Medicine is a liberal profession, and those
admitted into its ranks should found their expeolti
talons of practice upon the extent of their (valid
cations, net on intrigue or artifice.
§ 2. A physician, in his intercourse with a pn-
Aleut under the care of another practitioner, should
observe the strictest caution and reserve. No med•
dling inquiries should be made—no disingenuous
hints given relative to the nature and treatment of
his disorder; nor any course of conduct pursued
that may directly or indirectly tend to diminish the
trust reposed its the physician employed.
§ 3. The same circumspection and reserve
should he observed whets, from motives of business
or friendship, a physician is prompted to visit an
individual who is under the direction of another
practitioner. Indeed, such visits should be avoided
except under peculiar circumstances ; tind when
they are made, no particular inquires should be
instituted relative to the nature of the disease, or
the remedies employed, but the topics of conver
sation should hens foreign to the case as dream. ,
stances will admit.
§ 4. A physician ought not to take charge of,
or prescribe for a patient who has recently been
under the care of another member of the faculty in
the some illness, except in Cases of sudden emer
gency, or in consultation with the physician previ
ously in attendance, or when the latter hag relin- •
quished the case, or been regularly notified that his
services are no longer desired. Under such cir
cumstances, no unjust and illiberal insinuations
should be thrown out in relation to the conduct or
practice previously pursued, which should bejusti
fied as far as candour, and regard. for truth and
probity will permit; for it often happens, that pa
tients become dissatisfied when they do not expe
rience immediate relief, and, as many diseases are
naturally protracted, the want of success, in the
first stage of treatment, affords no evidence of a
lack of professional knowledge and skill.
§ 5.. When a physician is called to an argent
case, because the family attendant is not at hand,
ho ought, unless his assistance in consultation be
desired; to resign the rare of the patient to the hit
ter immediately on his arrival.
§ 6. It often happens, in eases of sudden ill
ness, or of recent accidents and injuries, owing to
the alarm and anxiety of friends, that it nund , er of
Physicians are simultaneouly sent fur. Under
these circumstances, courtesy should assign the
patient to the first who arrives, who should select
from those present, any additional assistance that
he may deem necessary. la all such cases, how
ever, the practitioner who officiates, should request
the flimsily physician, if there lie one, to be called,
and, unless his further attendance be requested,
should resign the case to the latter on his arrival.
§ 7. When a physician is called to the patient
of another pfactitioner, in consequence of the sick- •
ness or absence of the latter, he ought, on the re
turn or recovery of the regular attendant, and with'
the consent of the patient, to surrender the case.
§ 8. A physician, When visiting a sick person
in the country, may be desired to see a neighbour
ing patient who is under the regular direction of
another physician, in consequence of sudden change
or aggravation of symptoms. The conduct to be
permed on such an occasion is to give advice''
adapted to present circumstances ; to interfere no
further than is absolutely necessary with the gene
ral plan of treatment; to assume no future direc
tion, unless it he expressly desired; and, in this
last case, to request an immediate consultation
with the practitioner previously employed.
§ 8. A wealthy physician should not give ad
vice gratis to the affluent ; because his doing so is
an injury to his professional brethren. The office
of a physician can never be supported as an ex
clusively beneficent one; mid it is defrauding, in
some degree, the common funds for its support,
when fees ate dispensed with which might justly
he claimed.
§ 10. When a physician who has been mpg
get) to attend a ease of midwifery,. is absent, and
another in sent for, if delivery Is accomplished du
ring the attendance of the latter, be is entitled to
the fee, but should resign the patient to the practi
tioner first engaged.
Air. Vl.-Ofckirerenees hareem physicians
§ 1. Diversity of opinion, nod om;osition of in
terest way, in the medical, as in other professions,
sometimes occasion controversy and even conten
tion. Whenever such cases unfortunately occur,
and cannot be immediately terminated, they should
be referred to the arbitration of a sufficient num
ber of physicians, or a court-m.4.d.
§ 2. As peculiar reserve must be maintained
by physicians towards the public, in regard to
professional matters, and as there exist numerous
points in medical ethics and etiquette through
which the feelings of medical men muy be painful
ly assailed in their intercourse with each other,
and wllich cannot he understood or appreciatedi by
general society, neither the subject matter of such
differences nor the adjudication of the arbitrators
should be made public, as publicity iu a case of
this nature may be personally injurious to the in
dividuffis concerned, and can hardly fail to bring
discredit on the faculty.
A Irr. 111 . .—0 f Pecuniary ackunededgements
Some general rides should be Adopted by the
faculty, in every town or district, relative to peen-
VOL. XVI.--NO. 1.
niczry aclatowledgments from their patients ; and it
ehonid be deemed a point of honor to adhere to
these rules With as much uniformity us varying
Circumstances will admit.
CHAFfER
AltT. itheprolession to the public': }
I. As good citizens, it is the duty of Al
clans to be ever vigilant for the welfare of the coin
inanity, and to bear their part in silt:lining its in
stitutions and Intrtlens : they should also ho ever
ready to give. counsel to the public in relation to
inducts especially appertaining to their professidn,
`as on subjects of utudiesi !Mike, public bmtorte,
' and legal medicine. It is their province to en
lighten the public in regard to quarentine regula
tions,—the location, arrainginent, and dietaries of
hospitals, asylums, schools, prisons, • and similar
institutions,—in relation to the medical pollee of
towns, as drainage, ventilation, &e.,—and in ve
gard to measures for the prevention of epidemic
and contagioustliseases ; and when pestilence pre
vails, it is their duty to face the danger, and to
continue their labours for the alleviation of the
suffering, even at the jeopardy of their..own lives.
2. Medical men should also be always ready
when called on by the legally constituted authori •
tics, to enlighten coroner's inquests, and courts of
justice, on subjects strictly medical,—such as in
volve questions relating to sanity, legitimacy, mur
der by poisons or other violent menus, and' in re
gard to the variotmother subjects embraced in thu
science of Medical Jurisprudence. But in those
eases , tool especially where they aro required to
make a post-mortem examination, it is just, in
consequence of the tithe, lahOuf, AM,' skill required,
mod the resnomildlity and risk they incur, that thu
publie . should award them a proper honorarium..,,,
§ 3. There is no profession, by the unembcp
of which eloposynary services are more liberally
dispensed than the medical, but justice requires
that some limits should be placed to the perform
, unto of such good . offices. Poverty, professional
brotherhood, and certain of the public duties refer
! red to in the first section of this chapter, should al
ways be recognized as presenting valid claims for
gratuitous services; but neither institutions .en
dowed by the public or by rich individuals, socie
ties for mutual benefit, tbr the insurance of lives or
for analogous purposes, nor any profession or od
cupation, can be admitted to possess such privi
lege. Nor can it he justly expected of physicians
to furnish certificates of inability to serve so ju
ries, to podium militia dUty, or to testily to the
state of health of persona wishing to insure their
lives, obtain pensions, or the like, without a pecu
niary acknowledgment. But to individuals in in
digent circumstances, such professional services
should always be cheerfully and freely accorded.
§ 4. It is the duty of physicians, who aro fre
quent witnesses of the enormities committed by
quackery, and the injury to health and even des
truction of life caused by the use of quack medi
cines, to enlighten the public on these ,ultjects, to
expose the injuries sustained by the unwary from
the devices Mid pretentious of artful empiries and
impostors. Physicians might to use all the influ
enea which they limy possess, as professors in Col,
legcs of Pharmacy, and by exercising their option
in regard to the shops to which their preseriptitms
shall he sent, to discourage druggists and apotbe
caries from vending quack or secret medicines, or
from being in uny way cog aged in their manufac
ture and sale.
Awe. I.—Obkeations tithe public to physicians.
I. The benefits accruing to the public, di
reedy and indirectly, from the active and unwen
' tied beneficence of tile profession, are so numer
ous nod Important, that physicians arc justly en
titled to the utmost consideration and respect from
the community. The public ought likewise to
entertain a just appreciation of medical
qualifiea
tions make a proper discrimination between
true science nud the assumptions cf ignorance
and empiricism,—to afford every encouragement
mid facility for the acquisition of Medical educa
tion,—and no longer to allow the statute booki to
exhibit the anomaly of exacting knowledge from
under liability to beery penalties, and
of making them obnoxious to punishment for re
sorting to the only means of obtaining it.
GUE.AR STORM IN CANADA.-MONTIIZAL, Dee.
Ill.—Yesterday a heavy snow storm swept over
this city, the most severe that has visited ni fur 20
years. It is feared considerable damage her Lou
'Wale 'Jest and most exclusive reason for an
effect that I ever remember to have heard; (writes
a western correspondent,) was one given by a
"one-idea" Dutchmen, in reply to a friend who
reinarked : "Why, limn, you. have the most fem
inine east of countenance I have ever seen."—
"Oh, yaw," was the reply "I know do reason for
lint; mins moddcr ms a roman:" •
OR Mr.—A lady was the other day describing
to her husband some poor hut decent people elm;
had visited, and concluded by revealing the
fal
lowing climax of fully to which she had attained:
"And my dear, only think, they have a rag carpet,
on the door—Am/yet their eliihlrcn call thrir pa
rents pa mid urn !"'
cgs""Knowledge is power," wrote the great
lord Bacon. %Knowledge is power,"-eomplueent
ly exelahnedu geatlernan the other day, whets
strong men haying tillbd, he retraced a lap-dole
front the teeth of A hugo mastiff, by quietly edmin•
istering to tlau, latter a pinch of snuff! •
•
PRETTY Ko7Ms.—"My dear," said a gentleman.
to a yottug• lady to whom he thought to he married
coo wish to make a foul oftr `'.:goo,"
plied the lady, "namre hao oared me the trouble."