A code of medical ethics : with remarks on the duties of practitioners to their patients, and the obligations of patients to their medical advisers : also on the duties of the profession to the public, and the obligations of the public to the faculty / by Jukes Styrap.

  • De Styrap, Jukes, 1815-1899.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A code of medical ethics : with remarks on the duties of practitioners to their patients, and the obligations of patients to their medical advisers : also on the duties of the profession to the public, and the obligations of the public to the faculty / by Jukes Styrap. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    century—that the duties of a physician were never more beauti - fully exemplified than in the conduct of Hippocrates, nor more eloquently described than in his writings. It may here be incidentally remarked, that if a state of pro- bation be intended for moral discipline, there is assuredly much in the earnest, daily life of a medical practitioner to impart this salutary training, and insure persistence in a course of self- denial, and, at the same time, of zealous efforts for the relief of suffering humanity, irrespective of rank or fortune. A few considerations on the legitimate range of medical ethics will serve as an appropriate introduction to the necessary rules for our guidance in the complex relations of professional life. Every duty or obligation implies, both in equity and for its successful discharge, a corresponding right; and as it is the duty of a practitioner to advise, so has he a right to be attentively and respectfully listened to. Oft exposed as are his health and life for the benefit of the community, he has a just claim, in return, on its members individually and collectively, for zealous aid in carrying out his remedial measures, and for all due care in preventing, as far as possible, needlessly harassing and un- necessary calls on his services and sympathies. His zeal, attainments, talents, and skill, are qualities which are held in trust for the general good, and cannot be wastefully expended, either through his own heedlessness, or the incon- siderateness of others, without wrongful detriment to himself and to them. The greater the importance or urgency of the case, and the more deeply interested all are in the issue, the more necessary is it that the practitioner—upon whom devolves the skilled duty of health-restorer, and by whose judgment and discretion, under Providence, life is saved and death averted—should be allowed the free use of his faculties, undisturbed by a querulous manner, and angry, desponding, or passionate interjections, under the plea of fear, or grief, or disappointment of cherished hopes, by the sick and their attendant friends. All persons privileged to enter the sick-room—and the num- ber ought to be very limited—are under equal obligations of reciprocal courtesy, kindness, and respect; and if any exception be admissible, it cannot be at the expense of the practitioner.
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