[ vii ]
they please, upon my dismission from further attendance, or as soon after their recovery as shall be thought convenient, without specifying any demand, unless where patients particularly require it. This I look for to prevent the necessity of making a book charge of fees, which is never done in any liberal profession.
By thus leaving the fee in a great measure, or wholly, to the free will and circumstances of the patient, a physician may be employed by the middling class of people as well as the rich.
Many who have no adequate notion of the true Value of attendance, or what rule is observed by others, may wish rather to be directed what fee to. pay for attendance, being desirous on one hand to avoid the appearance of being deficient in generosity, and on the other hand willing to recompence the physician for his care, without unnecessary prodigality. Such persons, upon intimation of their desires, it is to be hoped, will always find themselves fully satisfied in this particular.
As to attending poor patients gratis, and giving them my best advice; I shall chearfully take my share of that kind of practice with my brethern of the faculty. For I shall always esteem it a favourable cir-
