First of all, a natural talent is required, for when
nature opposes, everything else is vain; but when nature leads the way
to what is most excellent, instruction in the art takes place, which
the student must try to appropriate to himself by reflection, becoming a
nearly pupil in a place well adapted for instruction. He must also bring
to the task a love of labour and perseverance, so that the instruction
taking root may bring forth proper and abundant fruits." And the
directions given for the conduct of life and for the relation which the
physician should have with the public are those of our code of ethics
today. Consultations in doubtful cases are advised, touting for fees is
discouraged. "If two or more ways of medical treatment were possible,
the physician was recommended to choose the least imposing or
sensational; it was an act of 'deceit' to dazzle the patient's eye by
brilliant exhibitions of skill which might very well be dispensed
with. The practice of holding public lectures in order to increase
his reputation was discouraged in the physician, and he was especially
warned against lectures tricked out with quotations from the poets.
Physicians who pretended to infallibility in detecting even the minutest
departure from their prescriptions were laughed at; and finally,
there were precise by-laws to regulate the personal behaviour of the
physician.
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