A Discourse on the Duties of a Physician

Bedford, MA: Applewood Books, 1996. Hardcover. New. We left off the subtitle of this 18th century essay on medical ethics, and when we include it here, you'll see why. The full title, including the subtitle, is "A Discourse on the Duties of a Physician: with some sentiments, on the usefulness and necessity of a public hospital : delivered before the president and governors of King' College, held on the 16th of May 1769 : as advice to those gentlemen who then received the first medical degrees conferred by that university." The language used by Bard is decidedly 18th century, but the advice that he confers is timeless: Don't condescend to your patients. Continue educating yourself. You have a duty of kindness to your patient's loved ones. This essay was first published in the year it was delivered, and is now published again in a slim but handsome hardback volume, in green leather with gold tooled lettering on the cover. It would make a great stocking-stuffer for any young-or not-so-young doctor. First published by A. & J. Robertson of New York in 1769.
Library of Congress description: 28 p. ; 18 cm.