
audiobook
PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT.
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I. UNCERTAINTY OF MEDICINE.
CHAPTER II. SKILL IN MEDICINE.
CHAPTER IV. QUACKERY.
CHAPTER V. THOMPSONISM.
CHAPTER VI. HOMŒOPATHY.
CHAPTER VII. NATURAL BONE-SETTERS.
CHAPTER VIII. GOOD AND BAD PRACTICE.
CHAPTER IX. THEORY AND OBSERVATION.
This insightful treatise offers a clear‑eyed look at the responsibilities that bind doctors and the communities they serve. It traces the history of medical charlatanism, showing how the same basic errors reappear in every era, from remote tribes to bustling cities. By laying out the common tricks of quackery, the author equips readers with simple tests to separate true skill from hollow claims. The work also argues that mistrust of physicians often stems from misunderstandings rather than malice.
Written in a conversational style reminiscent of a friendly mentor, the author balances criticism with compassion, acknowledging the human frailty that can lead even respectable physicians astray. He calls for a professional ethic that views medicine as a calling, not a commercial venture, and offers practical guidance for both doctors and patients to foster mutual respect. Listeners will find historical anecdotes and clear explanations that illuminate why some practices succeed while others falter, making the book a useful compass for anyone navigating health decisions.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (792K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Baker & Scribner, 1849.
Credits
Bob Taylor, Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2023-04-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1806–1867
A Yale-trained doctor and popular science writer, he worked to make medicine and natural science clear to everyday readers, especially children. His books mixed plain language with a strong belief that science should be taught carefully, honestly, and without hype.
View all books
by Worthington Hooker

by Worthington Hooker

by A. T. (Andrew Taylor) Still

by Albert Schweitzer

by Catharine Esther Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe

by Galen

by Auguste Forel

by Alice B. (Alice Bunker) Stockham