82I feel free to make this suggestion as there will be no fee or charge of any kind for this service all my expenses being guaranteed by the parties with whom I am to consult. Kindly let me hear from you at once as I have many demands upon my time and wish to arrange my schedule to the best advantage. Yours very truly, ———— The fact that he has not been invited to visit ——, or any other town for consultation purposes does not bother Dr. Wilkinson. It is one of those “harmless prevarications” tolerated and even encouraged, in all professions. It would not be dignified nor ethical for a doctor to start out on the road on a hunt for patients. It is not improper, once having been “called” to another city, to take advantage of the trip to do a little professional business on the side. Dr. Wilkinson must have an excuse for visiting ——. The most plausible excuse is that he has been invited there in consultation by some brother physician whose name is withheld. Before the time comes for starting for —— Dr. Wilkinson has received replies to his letters. Most of these are favorable, and the doctor is enabled to make out a time card that will keep him profitably engaged while in ——. This card should read: Thursday, Sept. 22, 1910. 10 a.m.—Dr. Jennings about John Smith. 11 a.m.—Thomas Ratcliffe. 12 m.—Dr. Thompson, Cross case. 1 p.m.—Mary Brown. 832 p.m.—Charles Harris. 3 p.m.—Dr. Williams, Green case. 4 p.m.—Harry Bronson. Before leaving Chicago the doctor will have his secretary get out the correspondence with each of the “prospects” and this, each lot enclosed in its own filing packet, will be put in his suit case or hand valise. Arriving at —— Dr. Wilkinson will arrange with the hotel clerk to notify him when anybody calls. At 10 a.m. Dr. Jennings will be announced. “Tell him,” Dr. Wilkinson will say to the bell boy, “that I am very busy just now and must ask him to excuse me for ten minutes. I will be able to see him promptly then.” This gives the doctor time to get out the Jennings correspondence and refresh his mind as to the particulars of the Smith case. Then he sends word to have Dr. Jennings shown up. “Sorry to have been compelled to keep you waiting, doctor,” and a warm cordial handshake, greets the country physician who is at once impressed with the fine appearance and friendly manner of his visiting brother. There is a little preliminary talk about the trip, the country, the weather, etc., and then the Smith case is taken up and thoroughly discussed. “If I had time,” says the specialist, “I’d like to see Smith, but that’s out of the question. Your very clear and able description of the case has impressed me strongly. One of these days when I happen to be out here again with more time on my hands, and the patient 84is still living, I’ll ask you to take me out to see him. I understand it’s only a short distance from here.”