BEDSIDE MANNERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 8 (Supplement)

BEDSIDE MANNERS.

SOME MEDICAL STORIES.

A good bedside manner is a most valuable asset to a medical man. Many doctors have made their fortunes by it. Sir Richard Quain used to tell how, when quite - a young man, he was asked to assist a very well-known physician. Sir Richard assumed an expression which he thought correct, when his senior turning and catching sight of him, remarked, " For heaven's sake, man, don't look like that or they'll think you are the undertaker." v On one occasion a doctor after a city dinner - was called hurriedly to the bedside of a certain haughty society woman, the wife of a financier. , He proceeded as best he could, and his first act after greeting her was to take his watch . from bis,. vest pocket to count her puise. This, however, was too much for him in his befuddled condition, and, proceeding to replace it, he muttered to himself, " Drank again I" To his astonishment the lady caught hold '\ of hie hand, and, with tears, cried out, " Yes, I know, but oh, doctor, don't mention it, and it shall never occur .again.""''.'.': ~~-'^y. Sir Morell Mackenzie had the most charming manners, and was most courteous, always anxious to show consideration to rich and poor alike, and a good story : that he naed to tell against Himself bears this out. '. '~-,:'•'•■ A certain old gentleman who was very prolix, and a terrible bore, used to come every ' morning about ten o'clock, just when the doctor was beginning to be busy, and to insist on going through all his symptoms each day. Sir Morel! was the politest of men, and would not hurt the old fellow's feelings., though he wasted valuable time. He stood it for some time, but at last hit on the plan of immediately painting the patient's throat with some innocuous fluid and telling him that he must not speak for two hours. This answered admirably for a time, when Sir Morell, going into the hall for some reason or other, one day met the old man coming 'out of one of the waiting rooms, and was informed that he had waited two hours, as he had gorgotten to inform Sir Morell of some new symptoms.