Journal of Dr GFW

Some people imagine that a physician should not have but little wages because they say he earns his money easy. If I were permitted to decide that question, I should be forced to give quite a different discussion and say there are but few professions more laborious. He is a mere slave, must jump at the call of his master. No kind of weather will excuse him, be it cold or hot, wet or dry, night or day; he must be ready and willing. The pleasures of home cannot be enjoyed, he must always be from home. However much may value his own domestic fireside, he is seldom permitted to participate in its joys, or however much he may value any amusement, all must be left, forgotten, and abandoned at a word. And not only this, the meanest wretch that calls or crawls on earth has claims on him that must be attended to. And another circumstance shows the liberality of the medical profession that does not characterize any other set of men. They labor for those who can never remunerate them, and this, few if any do who consider we are too well paid.