The judicious physician experiences much gratification in the _mental_ management of the sick. I refer not merely to the control which by his tact and skill he exercises over the mind which is manifestly deranged, but also to those multiplied and various mental influences which he exerts so silently, but so effectually, even in ordinary cases of sickness. Besides the pleasurable interest with which he watches the operation of these influences, there is also a high source of gratification in the consciousness of possessing such a power over the minds of his fellow men. Especially is this the case, when the power which he puts forth is exerted upon minds of great refinement, and of a high order of talent. The _results_ of the practice of the skilful and judicious physician are as a whole very gratifying to him. His vocation is to relieve pain and distress, and to deliver from disease; and when he fails to do this, sad as it is, it is an occasional, we may say a _rare_ exception to the general result. In the great majority of even severe cases, in which the pressure of responsibility is such a burden upon his spirit, and the alternations between hope and fear are often so painfully exciting, his heart is at length gladdened by a favorable issue. The physician is therefore by habit a hopeful, a cheerful, a happy man. As such he enters the sick room, the scene of the triumphs of his art. As such he mingles in the family and social circles of his fellow men, inspiring by his very air and manner cheerfulness in the sad, and hope in the unfortunate and dispirited. The physician then is apt to be not only the sympathising, but the _comforting_ friend. But not only is the success with which he meets in combatting disease a source of happiness to the physician, but so also especially is the gratification of his humanity and benevolence, in relieving the distresses of his fellow men, and in prolonging their lives. In some cases in which the life which he has struggled to save is a valuable one, the joy which fills his heart at the final successful issue of that struggle no words can express.