Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/394

572] PHY that, in this honourable profession, the number of its adepts -hould be equally diversiticd by their tiilents, their claims to public tavour, and their modes of aii-lion. It would be an invidious task, to attempt a classification of those nu- merous members of the medical profession, who are variously en- gaged in its different branches. We have alread}', under the ar- ticles Afothecary, and JNIid- wif»:ry, briefly stated their respec- tive qualifications ; and, that we may not exceed the limits of our plan, we shall in this place confine our attention to the duties oi a phy- sician. — A man, who maintains this important station in society, ought, beside a competent share of knowledge, to possess a humane and sympathizing, though intrepid, disposition of mind : he must be candid on all occasions, without any studied reserve, but circum- spect in his declaration to the pa- tient ; and, where danger is to be apprehended, nothing should deter him from concealing the probable termination of the case from pa- rents, or the nearest relations. Nor will a physician of a liberal and en- lightened mind, hesitate to explain the reasons, or causes, which in- duced him to prescribe certain me- dicines, in preference to others, perhaps differing from those of his predecessor. And, if he cannot, on the spur of the moment, determine himself respedliing the most proper treatment, instead of prescribuig conformably to the common rou- tine of business, or copynig a re- cipe from his memorandum-book, he will frankly inform the patient of the difficulty attending his com- plicated disease, and give the most appropriate directions for arranging i?very part of his diet and regimen. PHY Tlius, he cannot fail of acquiring confidence and credit ; while he enjoys the pleasing satisfavStion.that he his t'-.ted consistently with his conscience, and the dignity of his proies-iion. On t;ie contrary, the man of bu- siness, when entering the sick- room, will previously dirett his attention to the curtains, piftures, chairs, &:c. instead of examining with the most scrutinizing attention the expressive countenance of the - person, whose life perliaps depends on the first criterion, tlius negleiSted. The truth of this remark must be obvious to every rational prat'iti- tioner ; though the result of it be not always of equal consequence. Having asked a few superficial questions (which are scrupulously repeated to every patient, and couched iii the most concise phrase- ology, in order to save time and trouble) the mcfn of business hastily feels the puKe ; and, as it were by inspiration, writes a most elaborate and mysterious prescription, which is always obedient to liis will : — a work of ten, or at the farthest fif- teen, minutes! Its efletts, however, are not so uniformly favourable to t!ie expectations, and sangnine hopes of the patient: — neverthe- less, after observing the operation of the medicines swallowed, in con- sequence of the second, third, or fourth visit, the disease acquires a name and character, not only cor- responding to the symptoms now evidentj but likewise to the defini- tion given by the best nosologi.sts. Thus, error is reconciled to error ; and the daily reward is coUeCled, while Nature exerts herself under this struggle of symptoms, till she at lengtli makes a critical effort, either for t e recovery or dissolution of the patient. Such is said to be the