Journal of Dr GFW

In the active discharge of the various duties of my station, I find much for admiration and much to disgust. A mind filled with gratitude for services during distress is an ornament of much value in the human mind and will be felt by the most unfeeling when acted to them. I have seen several today who have now recovered from dangerous illness. For me they cannot do too much or be too good. They appear to feel for you and enter into all your feelings. Money never can pay for a physician's services, and where does not receive the lasting gratitude of his patients, he is never remunerated. But all the people are not happily disposed. Many imagine they pay you plenty when they condescend to ask your advice. They consider you no better than their slave and demand your attendance with as much assurance as though in reality you did belong to them, and when you pay all possible you can, they will not be satisfied. Such instances are not unfrequent. But these must never lead you from the regular discharge of your duty, or to neglect them when they call for help. We have an obligation to fulfill and we must not from any cause suffer such obligation to pass unrequited, because if we do, it will disturb our own peace, and if we torment ourselves we must expect the same of others.