The personal matter must be fitting to the case. If your patients do not die, you might speak of the "innocent little babe who will grow up to womanhood unpaid for." Lawyers in Oklahoma hold a lien on the cause of action until their fees are paid. Wonder how that would work with the medical profession? The point that I want to press home to you is that if you cannot get a settlement with sentiment, you cannot get it any other way. You cannot bluff them for they know they are execution proof. Read the exemption laws of your state and you will find that there is not a third of your patrons but could beat you if you tried to enforce payment by law. Here are some thoughts that have been worked into form letters that may give you an idea that you can use in some special cases: "Your continued silence after receiving our previous letters, compels us to infer that you neither propose nor intend to remit us the small balance on your account." "The amount is justly due, and we now state positively that on account of our having been patient, lenient and courteous with you in the past we cannot let the matter drop at this time by merely writing you." "From information we have received from different sources we appreciate the fact that you are amply able to pay the amount due." "We are placing the utmost reliance upon receiving a remittance from you in the next few days." Sometimes you can get settlement by means of a sight draft. Some people seem to fear a bank and will pay an account when held by a bank when they would pay no attention to anyone else. Always get an order from a corporation before rendering service. If they call you to attend any of their employees, have them sign an order before giving the case any attention, otherwise you may not be paid for your services. They will refuse to pay, and the patient will claim he did not call you. Have some order cards with you all the time for the signature of corporations or others who will call you to attend a patient who is not related to them. The following form will answer: ......................1912 =Dr. John Smith:= You will please attend ...................................................... during his present illness. .................................. When some corporation or other responsible party calls you up and wants you to attend some one, have them sign the card, then they will be bound to pay if the patient fails to do so. The person representing a corporation should sign, as in many cases they have no authority to bind the company. CHAPTER VI LIMITATIONS. The following table gives the time an account or instrument of writing, (note, judgment, etc.) will survive before becoming "out-lawed" by the statutes of limitations in the several states. Open account Note Judgment years years years