The dishonorable physician often makes difficulty, by attempting to hold on to the patient of another, when he has been called in a case of emergency. His plain duty under such circumstances is to give up the patient to the family physician when he arrives, or to request that, for this purpose, he should be sent for, if it has not already been done. And in all cases, in which the physician is doubtful, whether he has been called accidentally or from choice, he should take measures to remove the doubt. Some, in their eagerness to get practice, make no effort to settle this question, but disregard all the evidence which may appear against their claim to the patient; and, taking it for granted that the case is theirs, proceed at once to its treatment, and hang on to it till they are actually driven from the ground. And if they have a good share of assurance, they manage by this dishonorable course to keep possession of many cases which rightfully belong to their more modest neighbors. For many persons, from the fear of giving offence, are reluctant to tell them frankly that their services are needed only for the present emergency, and the physician of the family feels that it would be at least awkward for him to assert his rights under such circumstances. Sometimes a second physician is sent for to see a patient without the knowledge of the one in attendance. This may be done from the whim of the moment, or from the earnest recommendation of some meddler, or from a desire to obtain the opinions of another practitioner, which, it is perhaps thought, will be more candid and unbiassed, without a formal consultation. A strictly honorable man, when thus called in, declines giving any opinion at all, for he considers that he has no right to have anything to do with the case, unless he meets the attending physician in consultation, or the case is fully and openly transferred to his care. Not so with the dishonorable and intriguing physician. Such calls furnish him with opportunities for exercising his cunning, which are too good to be lost. It is a very common idea, that physicians are generally attached, to a foolish degree, to the rules of etiquette in their intercourse. Many talk as if the welfare of the sick, and sometimes even life, is sacrificed to it. The physician is often entreated to lay it aside, as being an obstacle in the way of his usefulness. When, for example, he is sent for to visit the patient of another physician without his knowledge, it is perhaps said to him, ‘we wish you to give up all etiquette—if you can do any good to this poor sufferer, do it.’