In this connexion I may remark, that the bandying about of the opinions of this and that physician, in regard to different cases, by their partizans, is one of the chief causes of the jealousies and quarrels among the members of our profession. If the friends of the sick would ask simply for the result of the consultation, instead of endeavoring to obtain the opinions of each physician in regard to the various points of the case, it would manifestly shut out all opportunity for intrigue at such times. And it is to this result alone that they have any right under ordinary circumstances. When a consultation is held, it is expected that some definite conclusion is to be arrived at, in relation to the nature of the case, and the treatment of it. It is the result of a _deliberative_ body, no matter of how few, or how many it consists. The individual opinions expressed in the deliberations leading to this result are wholly confidential; and whoever reveals them without the consent of the parties is guilty of a breach of confidence. So long as the attending physician is alone in the case, he acts as an individual; but when a consultation is called individual action ceases, and he is now to act in obedience to the result of the consultation—his duty is simply to carry out that result. He is the _executive_ of the acts of the deliberative body. He alone is to give the directions in the management of the case. If the consulting physician gives any directions either voluntarily, or in answer to the inquiries of the friends, he usurps authority which does not belong to him. His business is simply counsel, deliberation, and not action; unless, as in some surgical cases, he is called in for both purposes. The chief object of consultation, which is to fix upon the best course to be pursued in the treatment of the patient, is to be secured by thorough and free investigation and discussion of the different points of the case. Anything which interferes with this mode of attaining the object has a tendency to defeat it. If, for example, jealousy exist—if one physician feels that the other is disposed to take advantage of anything that may occur, which can possibly be turned to his own benefit, there can be none of that frankness which is so essential to the accomplishment of the object proposed. A consultation between enemies is generally a failure, though the friends of the patient may not always know it. At the same time, let it be remembered, that the mere fact that physicians are competitors does not necessarily make them enemies. If the competition be an honorable one, and neither is disposed to treat the other in an ungentlemanly manner, there is nothing to hinder their consultation from being free and unembarrassed. Physicians should always be alone in a consultation.