The Compassionate Physician by Ambrose Bierce
A short story about a doctor who is known for his compassion and empathy towards his patients. He is described as having a "face like a hound" and is said to have a "gentle hand." The story explores the themes of empathy, compassion, and the doctor-patient relationship.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Satire, Non-fiction, Historical · 128 words
First lines
A Kind-Hearted Physician sitting at the bedside of a patient afflicted with an incurable and painful disease, heard a noise behind him, and turning saw a cat laughing at the feeble efforts of a wounded mouse to drag itself out of the room.
"You cruel beast!" cried he. "Why don't you kill it at once, like a lady?"
Rising, he kicked the cat out of the door, and picking up the mouse compassionately put it out of its misery by pulling off its head. Recalled to the bedside by the moans of his patient, the Kind-hearted Physician administered a stimulant, a tonic, and a nutrient, and went away.
What this Textopian page supports
The Compassionate Physician is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Non-fiction, Historical, Drama
- Length: 128 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Compassionate Physician by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is renowned for his satirical writing style and biting wit.
- Non-fiction — Bierce's works usually are grounded in reality, reflecting his journalistic background.
- Historical — Like many of his writings, 'The Compassionate Physician' might depict historical events.
- Drama — Bierce's satire often takes the form of dramatic, interpersonal conflicts.
Tags
medical fiction · humanism in medicine · ethics in healthcare · compassion in practice · patient-centered care · empathy in healthcare · clinical decision making · medical narrative · healthcare policy · social determinants of health · public health · health disparities