Some of those, who are fond of practising the interference under consideration, hesitate not to make the most severe and reckless attacks upon the professional reputation of physicians. Indeed, such attacks are quite common in all circles. Though the non-professional observer, as you have seen, is not capable of estimating correctly the results of medical practice, many are in the habit of expressing their opinions upon this subject freely, and sometimes very harshly, especially when any case comes to a fatal issue. In such a case the busy partizans of other physicians are ready to cast blame upon the practitioner who has attended upon it, though all they may know in relation to it may be the idle rumors which come from gossiping tongues. The interests of the physician are often seriously injured by the reckless opinions thus expressed by men, who, though wholly incompetent to judge in such matters, from their wealth and standing have considerable influence. The professional reputation of medical men seems to be considered by common consent as fair game for the shafts of all, whether high or low, learned or unlearned. Although the charge of mal-practice is a serious charge, especially when it has relation to the death of a patient, it is exceedingly common to hear this charge put forth without any hesitation, and in the most positive manner. So common is it, that it awakens but little feeling; and, though it be a shameful enormity, it seldom meets with any rebuke. A very severe rebuke was once administered by a judge in Massachusetts to a lawyer, for hinting at the charge of mal-practice against a physician, who was one of the parties in a case before the Court. The insinuation was intended as a sort of make-weight for the advantage of his client. The judge at once inquired of the lawyer, if he intended to make that a point, giving him to understand, that if he did, he would be expected to produce evidence bearing upon it. The lawyer said that he did not. ‘You will withdraw that point then,’ said the judge, ‘and indulge in no farther remarks upon it.’ Very soon, however, he made the same insinuation again. The judge interrupted him, and remarked, that, as a professional man’s reputation was of the highest value to him, and was even the means of his livelihood, he would not suffer it to be wantonly attacked in any case; and he told the lawyer, that, as he had twice brought the charge of mal-practice against this physician, he should not permit him to go on with his plea, till he had withdrawn it in _writing_. It would be well if the same regard for the value of professional reputation were felt by all our judges, and by all the wise and influential in the community.