Physicians living more than ten miles from the seat of justice shall not be compelled to attend the court as witnesses in civil cases whenever in their opinion the life of any of their patients might be endangered by their attendance upon the court, but such physician will immediately forward to the court a sworn certificate stating the facts which in his opinion render his attendance impossible under the circumstances.  However, at the request of either party to the suit in which the subpoena is issued the court may order the testimony of such physician to be taken summarily in due course after notice given to the other party.