Long since, Park, J., was clearly of the opinion that if a mere stranger directed a surgeon to attend a poor man, such person was clearly liable to pay the surgeon [65]. Yet, in some cases in the United States, it has been held that the man who merely calls the doctor is not bound to pay him. When, for instance, in Pennsylvania, a son of full age, when living with his father, fell sick, and the father went for the doctor, urging him to visit his son. Afterwards the physician sued the parent. The Court said this was wrong, that he should have sued the son, as the father went as a messenger only, that the son, who had the benefit of the services, was the responsible person; and remarked that it was clear that had the defendant been a stranger, however urgent he may have been and whatever opinions the physician may have formed as to his liability, he would not have been chargeable without an express promise to pay, as, for instance, in the case of an inn-keeper or any other individual whose guest may receive the aid of medical service. A different principle, the Court considered, would be very pernicious, as but very few would be willing to run the risk of calling in the aid of a physician where the patient was a stranger or of doubtful ability to pay. This was in 1835 [66]. And, in Vermont, one brother took another, who was insane, to a private lunatic asylum and asked that he (the insane one), might be taken in and |34| cared for. This was done. In course of time the doctor sued the sane one for his bill, but the Court would not aid him in the matter, saying, “He is not liable unless he promised to pay” [67]. In the case of Mr. Dodge, above referred to, the Court said, “He might very readily have screened himself from all liability, by simply writing the memorandum on a blank card, or by adding to that which he wrote on his own card something that would have apprised the doctor of the fact that he acted in the matter for Mrs. Jones, as her agent.”