Hope is the greatest motive power in the world. As a strong moral force alike in matters temporal and spiritual, it would be strange if such a powerful incentive to action did not find its place in the practice of medicine.  It is a good rule never to “give up” on a patient; exceptions will occur no doubt in this as with most rules. To give up hope is to give up effort, and it is here the tragedy comes in. Cases illustrating the value of a “never give up hope” attitude crowd on the memory. Of course the most sanguine and persevering must expect failure at times, but he will have the satisfaction of having had a good try.