298 
S. R. HOWARD. 
add that you only assist nature and that you are not the Al¬ 
mighty, therefore you are not in the miracle business at the 
present writing. You might mention the possibilities and 
therefore gain a margin for uncertainties. 
Although a young man I have found people that would 
swear by me one week and the next curse me for killing their 
cow, robbing them, etc. Melancholy experience will tell you, 
if you do not know it already, that the minds of men and 
women are subject to rapid changes. Links of friendship that 
have been forming for years will break in one day, and some 
will drop you with as little ceremony and regret as if they 
never knew you. I have treated several men’s stock success¬ 
fully and satisfactorily to both of us and then they would 
turn right around and employ a worthless and illiterate Negro 
to do their doctoring; then again they would come back to 
me. 
When visiting a patient always let it be known whether 
you will visit again, and when. This will prevent uncertainty, 
and if you fear a relapse call occasionally, but always let them 
know when you will call again. 
Some grooms and attendants will always lie and some will 
tell you the truth. Try and make your manner such that 
they will not hesitate to unlock themselves, for they can often 
tell you the whole secret of the trouble. To inspire complete 
confidence is half the battle of getting a practice. 
In your rounds you will see and hear about certain de¬ 
formities, blemishes and deficiencies of certain animals, and 
you will become a sort of repository of all kinds of secrets. 
Keep them with Masonic fidelity. It will gain you nothing 
to publish them. 
Never solicit people by word or manner to employ you ; 
for such a course will repel them and prevent you enjoying 
their esteem. 
When you are unjustifiably dismissed from a case, espec¬ 
ially if it is to make room for a bloated quack, do not consent 
tamely to be thrown aside in such a manner. Express your 
willingness to retire, but make known in a polite gentlemanly 
way, that you expect fair play and courteous treatment, and 
