Page 214 - My FlipBook

tion with people ; you will learn them by the study of the ;
humanities, by the study of conditions and the impulses that
move men, that influence people's minds, and I sometimes
think that it is more important that dentists begin their school
work with a well grounded notion of the humanities, of the
psychic nature of man, than the devotees of any other pro-
fession. Why? The very nature of his calling keeps him in-
doors, secludes him from the general mixture with people
he is confined with his single patient day after day. The
physician—he is going hither and yon ; he is mingling with
people continually ; he has the opportunity of studying the
psychic conditions of those with whom he comes in contact
tenfold more than the dentist. A dentist needs such an in-
formation of folks and of the impulses that move them to ac-
tion, in this direction or that, that he can look at his patient
and know what manner of approach will influence that per-
son best in order that he may bring them into a state of mind
that will enable him to do his operations well. Sometimes
this is a difficult matter. I am reminded of a story that I
have told often. I once had a good lady, a very sanctimoni-
ous person, who always would sit with her hands crossed,
Avho seemed to repel anything like a joke, but a very good
patient. Once or twice, perhaps, I had seen a twinkle in the
eye. that indicated that there was merriment within, but these
were very scarce during a long series of operations. I was
often in doubt as to how best to approach her. But she sur-
prised me when she came to pay her bill. I knew that the
family was wealthy, although I had very little acquaintance
with them. She asked me for her bill, and when I handed it
to her she took a pen, sat down to my desk, taking a check
out of her pocket, and began writing. "Doctor," said she,
"my brother was complaining bitterly yesterday because of
the taxes on his broad acres, but they are nothing to the taxes
on my small achers." (Laughter.)
After all, the good lady appreciated a joke.
Now there are ways and ways of approaching people and
the best way must always be left to the discretion of the oper-
ator. I can't tell you how to approach this person or that,
but if you will study the people that come to you with care
you will develop skill in this matter of approaching people
and bringing about tlie psychic conditions or sympathy of
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