Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-20
MIS- ELLANEOUs.
FROM THE NANTUCKET INQUIRER.
THE SICK, AND THE DEAD.

Of judicious forbearapee, which is seldom Ia
the immediate care Of the patient II is too
much the custom every where, and more par
ticularly in villages and small towns, that, as
soon as a case OF sickness is reported, the
multitude from all qusrters---meu, women,
and children, near relatives, or distant neigh
bours, flock 10 the house of distress, with
greediness which death can scarcely sstiate.
Most of these idle inquirers are actusted by
motives in which humanity bears but q small
share. They burst into She house, snd If
possible into the very chamber Of the suffer
or; crowd about the couch, gazing with use
less curiosity; whisper ominous prognostica-
tons; intermeddle with the attendants or the
physiciani gather details enough fora gossip.
ing balistini and then ay of with all magma
bic celebrity and qualification TO tattle and re-
tail the matter from house TO house. Such
practices are sufficient to convert very slight
illness into confirmed fever, and to hurry the
patient from bed Of sickness 70 an untimely
grave.
The supernlendsnce OF the sick should be
conhded to as few attendants, and with as
little alteration, as may be practicable. Some
experienced friend, whose discretion and for
titude would not be weakened by undue ten,
derness or sudden depression. should be pro-
cured-no language but that of hope and en-
enlargement sh ould be tolerated. and in some
cases even very little of that--the suspicious
OF the sick Should never be aroused BY the
repining groans and long MINDED signs Of sim.
pering interlopers; in short, all who have no
direct concern in the management Of the in
valid, should be entirely excluded. People
who imagine themselves to be performing
acts Of disinterested bencvolence by their
frequent visits to the sick for the ,ns,e pur-
pose of asking questions. may rest assured
that they cannot perpetrate greater deeds ofcru
city. They are ike certain birds of prey which
We have seen in South Carolina, surrounding
famished and pershug horse, and attempting to
pluck out his eyes before they are yet closed
forever
What sight can be more disheartening TO
diseased person, than, when awakening from
some hideous dream, which usually accompa.
MES bodily disorder, to behold throng of
dismal countenances filed with anxious ex.
preston, and foreboding the most fearful con.
nprnay1caS1 ~ fk1eo ~
heedessly sport with human infrmity, wish
thereby 20 be recognized by the unfortunate
object of their officous sympathy as super.
eminently touched as overaowing with tn.
'mlk of human kindnessl"--or do they cal.
cu!ate, by enactinS such lugubrious horrors,
TO acquire reputation for uncommon seus;- |
bhityf We do not mean to assert that |
there is no such thing as natural grief or fel. |
low feeling; but the scene for the display of |
such affections is not sick chamber. In /
some maiadles the imagination is excessively |
quick and aPprehensive- from lhe indica.
tons of alarm or pity which are manifested in |
his presence or withn his hearing, the sick man |
is apt to draw the most appalling anil fatal |
conclusions; despair, disease and death NAV
follow.
There ia another practice of a similar m.
.ure, which in a civilized community deserves
the highest reprobation. 1t is one which pre-
walls too, we are sorry to confess, even among
temee3. We alude TO the habit of iutrud.
ing, at every possible opportunity. upon the
last solemn ceremony of respect towards the |
dead What are we to think of those who. |
without any claim either of kindred or &c. |
quaintance, make business of appearing at i
every funera.-thrusting themselves into the |
house Of mourning to the exclusion Of actual |
friends pressing forward with the utmost |
San@ ji>ia, TO view the cadaverous remains !
OF Tie eparted-watching with eager solici. |
tude every look and movement of the mourn |
ers-maklns observations on the arrangements |!
the dresses, tie carriages, &c and thus collect |
ing materials OF tea-tabe discussion, abundaniy |
sufficient TO serv- untlthe next equally interest.
ing occasion.
THIS disposition can be attribut ed to no |
thing short OF confirmed propensity for de. |
traction. So voracous is ,SIan2cr thst her
votaries. unable to supply her altar with |
due competency of h7fn4 sacrifices, ransack |
the precincts Of the tomb. and drag forth its |
dumb tenants. whose characters are iu,rnola- |