95. On the Physician

Marcus and Marcellinus, brothers, the one growing blind and the other somewhat deaf, consult Fulberius the physician for an entire year, with no profit, but with great expense. Both brothers complain about this matter to Fulberius, but Fulberius replies that the progress of the cure was altogether great, since he prevented the infirmity from increasing. Besides, he says, there is no other remedy for either, for a perfect cure, except to attempt a surgical operation for both.

It is asked: 1.º What must be judged concerning Fulberius? — 2.º Can Marcus and Marcellinus subject themselves to that surgical operation?

R. To the 1st: Fulberius indeed is not to be disturbed because of the multiplied consultations and consequently because of the honorarium received, if in fact he prevented the infirmity from increasing. For there is no doubt that there are infirmities wholly incurable by human remedies. Therefore if Fulberius, since he truly could not expel the infirmity, prevented its progress and increase, he did not effect a useless cure, but on the contrary a very useful one. But unless Fulberius rightly knows the infirmity, and also knows remedies useful for curing it, it is necessary that he send the sick persons to a more skilled physician. And he is wholly held to do this especially as regards that surgical operation, unless he himself is truly skilled in operations of this sort.

To the 2nd: In order that a useful response be given to Marcus and Marcellinus, it is necessary that they themselves ask Fulberius about the outcome of that operation. If Fulberius is truly skilled, if the outcome of that operation will certainly be profitable, if at least that operation can be performed without danger of greater harm, then certainly there is no difficulty, and Marcus and Marcellinus, if they wish, can subject themselves to that surgical operation. But if the good outcome of such an operation is scarcely probable, or although probability of a good outcome is not lacking, nevertheless danger is present, as in fact not rarely happens, that Marcus after the operation remain wholly blind and Marcellinus wholly deaf, then indeed it would not be prudent to subject oneself to an operation of this sort.