There are women “steerers” also, but they work in a much different manner from the men. In nearly every community there are women of business instinct who are not averse to earning some “easy” money. One of these women will make an arrangement with Dr. Sweatem by which she is to receive a commission on all the patients she may send him. Her commission is not so large as that given the men steerers because she does not work among strangers, or personally take such patients as she may secure to the doctor’s office. Still it is a handsome sum—generally 10 or 15 per cent of the fee—enough to give an active, influential woman a very respectable income.
The woman “steerer” makes it her business to join various clubs and churches, take part in all women movements, and to get acquainted with as many of her sex as possible. She especially cultivates the acquaintance of well-to-do women who are real sufferers, or imagine themselves to be afflicted in some manner. She encourages them to talk about their physical troubles, is kindly sympathetic, and, at the proper moment makes delicate suggestion that it would be well for the sufferer to see Dr. Sweatem.
“He’s such a grand man. Seems to know just what to do, and has been so successful in treating a lot of my friends. I wouldn’t think of going to anyone but him myself.”
Thus the seed is sown, and in time bears fruit. The well-to-do sufferer goes to see Dr. Sweatem and is relieved of a good fee, if nothing else. The doctor in the meantime has been advised over the phone by the woman “steerer” that Mrs. —— is coming to see him, and informed as to her financial condition, as well as the nature of the ailment with which she thinks she is afflicted. Armed with this information he knows just what to do when Mrs. —— arrives at his office, and the patient is deeply impressed by the manner in which he so accurately diagnosed her case at the first interview.
Another point of information always conveyed in advance to the doctor is the age of the prospective caller. Thus advised, when the interview does take place he is in position to say:
“A woman of your age—let’s see, you’re not over 32, are you, Mrs. ——? —— ought to,” etc.
“Oh, yes, Doctor, I’m 40,” will be the answer.