Athothis : a satire on modern medicine / by Thomas C. Minor.

be very politic, and the majority of thriving practitioners are skilled diplomats. We must cater to all of society's whims and prejudices, at the same moment concealing our own individualities by constant dissimulation. We must appear to the public that which we are not; in other words, assume to know all of which we are ignorant in order to be accused of wisdom." " In other words, you are hypocrites!" exclaimed Athothis, indignantly; " so that you may receive a pe- cuniary reward at the hands of an equally intelligent public. I am glad to see that you are candid enough to admit that great medical success among moderns, in the vast majority of instances, implies the practice of cunning and trickery, and that the noble art of healing is sunk to the level of trade ? " " Precisely ! " answered Paulus Androcydes, in a semi- apologetic tone. " The modern commercial world judges all professional men by its own standard, and considers pecuniary success the only real test of ability. When a a physician secures a large practice, for instance, he at- tains the same degree of eminence as our established mercantile house, and can defy the competition of less astute business rivals; for, following their ordinary com- mercial instincts, the great majority of people go to the shop that appears to attract the most customers, as the established reputation of such a firm seems to afford extra inducements. As for the moral and intellectual worth of the proprietor they care naught." " They are not as wise as one of the recent Popes," quoth Athothis, smilingly, " who was ever careful in the choice of his physician. This Pope, whose love for truth and honesty was only equaled by his affection for Saint Peter, had the misfortune to lose an old medical attendant,