that in every grade of society lax opinions of the criminality of procured abortion exists. It is not alone the ignorant and vicious that consider it no crime; the religious equally entertain the belief that abortions may be practiced without a shadow of guilt. Every physician must have been approached by persons of upright motives with solicitations to prescribe remedies or employ means which would terminate an early pregnancy. There can not be a doubt that the public mind to-day is inclined to regard abortion as a crime only under certain circumstances. The life that is sacrificed is regarded as unreal, and the convenience or comfort of the parents is alone consulted. Who is responsible for the tone of the public sentiment on the question of the criminality of abortion? We believe it rests entirely with the medical profession. Medical men know well that abortion is the sacrifice of human life; they know well, therefore, the heinousness of the offense. In their daily intercourse with their patients they have the opportunity and the power of inculcating correct opinions of the nature of this crime. Every truly conscientious physician performs this duty faithfully, and often most effectually; the erring and unthinking are instructed, and the lesson makes a profound and lasting impression. But there is a class of physicians who treat this subject with so much indifference that they sanction rather than discountenance the crime. In mild terms they

object to employing means to produce abortion, and yet suggest the remedies by which it may be accomplished. The effect is pernicious, as the crime is generally perpetrated. There is still another class of medical men, standing on the boundary between legitimate medicine and quackery, who both advocate and practice abortion. They assume a sanctimonious air and a clerical dress, and under this specious guise practice the black art of abortionists. They are found in the most respectable medical circles, and make their professional associations subserve their base purposes. Judged by the moral code of a Christian civilization, they are the most abandoned criminals in the community, and should be thoroughly purged from the profession. City and country Medical Societies should inquire, "Have we not abortionists among us?" We do not doubt that they will be found, and that too in startling numbers, especially in large cities. The whole question of abortion, its religious, social, and professional bearings, should be discussed in all medical societies. The duties of our profession to itself, to religion, to the cause of humanity, should be established on a righteous basis, and every member should be compelled to conform his conduct to this standard. The sacred obligations which the Father of Medicine imposed upon his followers, with the solemnity of an oath, are as binding upon us as upon the graduates of the school of Cos.

XLI.

REVISION OF FEE-BILLS.

T is becoming a common saying that "every

The truth of this remark is every day more and more painfully evident. Every species of labor, whether mental or physical, is demanding a higher and higher premium, and every kind of commodity is rapidly tending to higher prices. This upward tendency is due to the depreciation of the currency, and though the advance of wages for service is fifty per centum, there is only a simple equalization of values when the income from labor and the outgo for living are balanced; that is, though the laborer now receives twofold prices for his services, and has to pay twofold prices for every article which he eats or wears, he does not improve his condition by demanding a larger salary, but merely maintains his former position in spite of the mutations of currency. The artisan who lives, as it is said, from hand to mouth, feels as sensibly the first fluctuations of prices as the thermometer the slightest variations of temperature. He can not long endure any considerable difference between income and outgo, and therefore demands that the equili

brium be restored. Either he must have higher wages or the materials of subsistence must fall to their former standard. But while labor promptly adapts the values of its services to the increased cost of subsistence, the medical profession plods on undisturbed, adhering to its old fee-bills, which amount now in fact only to about one-third the former rates. We hear few complaints among practitioners, though every one who continues to charge the same fee as formerly, but purchases at current rates, is gradually becoming impoverished. He is truly living much beyond his income, and will finally meet the fate of all "fast men." If his rate of charges remain the same, he has but these alternativeseither he must have a corresponding increase of business, or bankruptcy. It is not difficult to convince any medical man of the truth of these statements, and nearly every one has within a few years come by degrees to realize that they are decidedly applicable to his own case. While his income has remained the same, his necessary expenditures have largely increased. It is a hopeful sign of the times that the question of self-protection is beginning to be agitated in our profession in various sections of the country. In some localities there is a decided expression of opinion in favor of raising the rate of charges for professional services. In one or two instances medical societies have exhibited sufficient manliness to revise their fee-bill, and have

It is

advanced the rate in a liberal manner. noticeable that this subject attracts more attention in the newer localities, as at the West, than in old communities. This shows a more progressive and independent spirit on the part of the younger members of the profession, and augurs well for the future character of the practitioners of the new States. The truth is, medical men are the most meagrely paid for their services of any class of any community. They are supposed to be liberally educated, and yet they are called upon to perform the most menial services. They have no hours of positive and undisturbed relaxation and repose either night or day. They have no independence in the choice of patrons, but must run at the call of the meanest as well as the best, the poorest as well as the richest. They are the common drudges to do all the hard labor, and that gratuitously, of every charitable institution. They expose themselves freely to every form of contagion, and meet death on every hand. And yet the reward for all this toil and self-sacrifice is little more than an "approving conscience." Medical men have never properly estimated the importance of their services. The physician who places a high estimate upon his professional opinion, and never gives it without ample compensation, makes a better impression than he who takes small fees. Selfrespect and self-appreciation, inspire respect and and confidence in others.