CHAPTER LXXXII 

 WHAT THE PHYSICIAN CAN Do 



HE can assist Nature, and assist only. He can 

 diagnose the disease, and, when required, properly 

 administer the antitoxine. He may direct as to 

 good nursing, sanitation, quarantine. He may 

 vaccinate, use the knife, and comfort the mind with 

 wise counsel, inspiring hope. 



Whatever the physician does, in order to be any 

 good, must be done strictly along the lines of Na- 

 ture. Counter and cross roads are dangerous. 

 Drugs may kill; they never cure. 



The case of J. P. Morgan is a world-wide cau- 

 tion. The drug to induce artificial sleep induced 

 the eternal sleep! 



The doctor never did, never will, cure his patient. 

 Nature does that. The farmer hoes his corn, Na- 

 ture alone makes the corn grow. 



Sunshine is good for corn. It is good for the 

 sickroom. A smiling face is often the best pre- 

 scription ; a cheerful word the best tonic. 



Few and simple are the real duties of the doctor. 

 Highest skill is to know what the few duties are. 

 Highest wisdom to do them. Highest courage to 

 do them only. 



The danger is in overdoing. I knew a man in 



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