Another thing. There is a great deal of convincing force in the statement that payment of the fee in advance holds the patient to the treatment. At least it looks that way to the layman. In most instances where a man has the funds in bank 145he will write a check without further comment. Occasionally a patient will be unable to do this, owing to a shortage of funds, and will say: “Well, I have decided to take the treatment, Doctor, if you can give me a little time on part of the fee. I can pay you $500 now, but would like about sixty days’ time on the rest.” “Certainly, Mr. ——. If it will be an accommodation to you I will be glad to do it. It is contrary to our usual practice, but I feel that I am safe in making an exception in your case.” The check is written and handed to the doctor who, without apparently examining it, puts it carelessly in his pocket, and then makes an entry in his desk diary, noting the patient’s name and address, nature of his ailment, date, amount of fee, and size of payment. When all this is done the first treatment is given, and engagement made for succeeding treatments at a certain hour each day. Taking advantage of the time when the patient is rearranging his clothes after treatment the doctor hurriedly fills out a sixty day note for $500, making it payable to the order of the patient himself. Just as the latter is ready to leave the doctor will say: “There’s just one thing more, Mr. ——. In order to guard against any possible misunderstanding in the future I have drawn up a little memorandum of our agreement as a sort of protection to you. Now, if you will kindly place your signature there——” As he says this the doctor rises from his chair and 146motions the patient into it, at the same time dipping a pen in the ink well and handing it to him. “Yes, on that line; yes, that’s the place. Now (turning the note over so the back is uppermost), once more across the end, so. There, now we have the agreement in form so no one can take advantage of you. Be sure to come promptly at 10:30 to-morrow.” After the first treatment most men are excited and easy to handle in this way. They do what the doctor bids in a sort of unconscious way. They don’t realize that they are signing a note. The doctor has referred to it as a memorandum of agreement, and it seems only proper that there should be a writing of this nature. Sharp practice? Yes. Dishonest? No. The patient has agreed to pay a fee of $1,000. He has paid $500 down and promised to pay the rest in sixty days. The doctor has merely induced him to put this promise on paper. If the maker of the note is responsible (and the doctor has assured himself of this in advance) the full $1,000 is secured then and there, less an ordinary discount fee on $500, as a note of this kind is easily negotiable. The doctor has taken the precaution to protect himself instead of depending entirely upon the honesty and good intention of his patient.