The author pleads for more consideration of the referring physician in psychiatric consultations. More time and effort should be spent in discussing the case before agreeing to see the patient, to obtain fuller knowledge not only of the patient's history but also especially of the transference and countertransference. The psychiatrist should have an attitude of helpful supervision toward the referring physician such as he would have toward a beginning psychiatrist in training. This would often result in decisions not to intervene, to the advantage of all concerned.