125Dr. Thompson, who is kept for just this purpose, and to treat outside patients who are unable to come to the office, is summoned by electric call, and comes in. He is a dignified, very professional-looking old chap, neatly clad in dark Prince Albert suit, and wearing glasses—the beau ideal of a medical authority. “Mr. Robinson, allow me to introduce Dr. Thompson.” Then to Dr. Thompson: “Doctor I have been examining Mr. Robinson and the conditions are so unusual that I would like to have your opinion and see how it coincides with, or differs from, mine. I think there can be no question but what it is a pronounced instance of tabes dorsalis, and yet the conditions are far out of the ordinary.” During his preliminary talk with Mr. Robinson the doctor has wormed out of him the fact that his ailment is locomotor ataxia, so he is taking no chances in committing himself to the statement that he believes the case to be a “pronounced instance of tabes.” Besides, this is a convenient manner of conveying to Dr. Thompson a “tip” as to what his verdict should be. Together the two doctors go all over Mr. Robinson again, making comment in professional language as the examination proceeds. At the end, while Mr. Robinson is dressing, they sit down together and discuss the conditions in a subdued tone, but loud enough so as to make sure that Mr. Robinson will catch the import of the consultation. When the caller rejoins them Dr. Wilkinson says: “I am happy to be able to say, Mr. Robinson, that Dr. Thompson agrees with me fully as to the nature of your 126ailment, and also that, while the conditions are serious, there is every reason to expect satisfactory results, provided proper treatment is administered without further delay.” Dr. Thompson endorses this in a few well-chosen words, and then excuses himself on the plea of being very busy. He will probably retire to the correspondence room and read a magazine until summoned to play the same role again with the next caller, but there’s no use in telling Mr. Robinson so. “Very busy” is always a trump card in the hands of “eminent” physicians. After Dr. Thompson has left the room Dr. Wilkinson begins to straighten out the furniture in his office, apparently as a hint to Mr. Robinson that he is getting ready to receive another caller. But he is doing nothing of the kind. He is merely using tactics to bring Mr. Robinson to the crucial point of declaring that he is going to take the treatment. Standing up, as if to bid his caller good bye, the doctor says: “There is one thing I would impress upon you, Mr. Robinson. Such troubles as yours are not benefited by delay. The longer you put off treatment the more aggravated your condition will become, and the more difficult it will be to accomplish anything in the way of relief. You should take treatment from some competent physician right away.”