There is, no doubt, some fault on all sides. The public are too uninformed on these important subjects, and therefore do much that is equally against their own interests and the preservation of that dignity and respect which should ever attach to a high-missioned profession. But is the profession itself free from blame? Do they never themselves minister to this wretched system of double dealing? We fear there is but one answer to this question. We are not careful, for obvious reasons, to multiply examples of such things; but we are convinced that there must be a change; and since the profession cannot, as too many of the public may, plead ignorance—for this and a thousand other reasons, they should lead the way. We only claim for ourselves what we readily concede to others—the expression of our opinion—when we say that consultations should be _bonâ fide_ examinations of the case, and should be followed by _bonâ fide intelligible_ explanations of it to the _patient_ or his _friends_, according to the obvious suggestions of prudence or humanity in the individual case. When the treatment is correct, the most honest proof should be afforded of it; namely, the continuance of the plan of the attendant in ordinary, unobscured by the farce or form of a prescription; or, if _additional_ appliance only is adopted, in such a case its subordinate character should be honestly explained. Where there is difference of view, if it be material, that also should be candidly stated; and if this be done with _real fairness_, our experience has convinced us that it may be effected without damage to either party. In other differences of opinion, the public never think it necessary to impute ignorance or incapacity: let them, _for their own sakes_, repudiate this construction in regard to the medical profession. Lastly, let them for ever abandon the practice of paying any man for his bottles, the number of which will often be an inverse ratio with his skill and judgment. To return to Abernethy. No doubt his manner varied in consultation; but of "Manner" we shall speak in a separate chapter. We will here record our impressions as to "Abernethy in consultation;" the conditions which seemed to secure a considerate opinion from him; the good sense and reasonableness of those conditions; the practical result of the observance of them, and the effect they were calculated to produce on the public, in giving to consultations that efficiency by which they should be characterized—an efficiency which _every one_ begins to perceive to be necessary, and which must be equally to the advantage of the public and the elevation of the profession. CHAPTER XXVI. "Quidquid enim justum sit id etiam utile esse censent; itemque quod honestum idem justum, ex quo efficitur, ut quidquid honestum sit idem sit utile."—CICERO.