The act of incorporation, together with the medical police, by-laws, and rules of the Rhode-Island Medical Society.

Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The act of incorporation, together with the medical police, by-laws, and rules of the Rhode-Island Medical Society. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    be called to a family usually attended by another gentleman of the faculty, to ascertain whether he is so called from an actual preference, or in con- sequence of the absence or inability of the family Physician to attend ; and if the latter should prove to be the case, it shall be his duty to inform them of the propriety of repeating their call upon him as soon as his services may be procured. When a Physician is called to a patient, who has been under the care of another gentleman of the faculty, before any examination of the case, he should ascertain whether that gentleman has discontinued his visits, and whether the patient does or ought to consider himself as under his care ; in which case, he is not to assume the charge of the patient, nor to give his advice (except in instances of sudden attacks) without a regular consultation; and if such previously attending gen- tleman has been dismissed, or has voluntarily re- linquished the patient, his practice should be treated with candor, and justified so far as truth and probity will permit; for the want of success in the primary treatment of the disorder, is no im- peachment of professional skill and knowledge. It frequently happens that a Physician, in inci- dental communications with the patients of oth- ers, or with their friends, may have their cases stated to him in so direct a manner, as not to ad- mit of his declining to pay attention to them. Un- der such circumstances, his observations should be delivered with delicacy, propriety and reserve, and with the greatest care that they shall not interfere with the curative plan pursued.