Thus the seed is sown, and in time bears fruit. The well-to-do sufferer goes to see Dr. Sweatem and is relieved of a good fee, if nothing else. The doctor in the meantime has been advised over the phone by the woman “steerer” that Mrs. —— is coming to see him, and informed as to her financial condition, as well as the nature of the ailment with which she thinks she is afflicted. Armed with this information he knows just what to do when Mrs. —— arrives at his office, and the patient is deeply impressed by the manner in which he so accurately diagnosed her case at the first interview. Another point of information always conveyed in advance to the doctor is the age of the prospective caller. Thus advised, when the interview does take place he is in position to say: “A woman of your age—let’s see, you’re not over 32, are you, Mrs. ——? —— ought to,” etc. “Oh, yes, Doctor, I’m 40,” will be the answer. “You surprise me. I would never think it.” Foxy doctor. He knows all the time her exact age because the “steerer” has told him, but he’s too smooth to give himself away. And thus he makes another ally, and easily-duped patient. As for Mrs. ——, she is enthusiastic. She reports her visit to the “steerer,” saying: “I’m glad you advised me to go. He’s a splendid doctor; perfectly lovely, and I know he’s going to do me good.” 205And he does. Not only that, but the chances are that her enthusiasm will give Dr. Sweatem opportunity to “do” the patient’s intimate friends and relatives also. 207 CHAPTER XVI   WHAT SHOULD THE PHYSICIAN DO? All this leads up to the question “What is the young physician to do?” The majority of them can remain strictly ethical and drag out a miserable existence, so far as getting a livelihood from the practice of their profession is concerned, because they never should have studied medicine in the first place. Those who are equipped by nature and education for successful practice, may gain a competence by imitating some of their elders (those who howl the loudest about violation of ethics) and throw down the bars. Just how far they may graze in the non-ethical pasture is a matter for each practitioner to judge for himself.