Abstract
The tradition of Hippocratic ethical rules respects the general culture at the various stages of development of society and therefore also of medicine. For centuries the paternalistic model suited both parties, i.e. doctors and patients.
In this context, the book presents two testimonies of the 19th century. In next chapters the book reminds of reasons for change from the paternalism to partnership and describes its implications for current relationships between doctors and patients.
Among the main issues covered are the ethical dilemmas associated with consumer-oriented model of health services, dictate of economics and bureaucratization of medicine.