What not to do

In 1968 Dr Richard Armour wrote an essay in JAMA in which he pretended to have found an old book, “being a study of certain curious categories of physicians.” There were four types. Firstly, the Ebullient, outgoing, exuding optimism and good cheer, backslapping, always encouraging and minimising his patients' illnesses. Next, the Lugubrious, entering the sickroom with a pained look like an undertaker coming to remove a body, speaking in a low sepulchral tone and always guarded about the outlook. …