Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-21
NOTES ON ENGLISH SURGEONS.
MIR. ABERNETHY

NOTES ON ENGLISH SURGEONS.
Mr.. ABERNETHY.
The following anecdote Of the celebrated
John Hunter is related by Mr.. Abernehy III
one Of his lectures.!.
"a strong ruldy-faced farmer had disease,
which induced Mr. Hunter /, enIoin total alb
s,nence from fermenled liquors. "Sir," said
the farmer, 81 assure you that am very tenn
perate man, scarcely ever exceed three pints
of ale in the day, and never touch spirits"
"But," said Mr.. Hunter, "you must now drink
nothing except water" "Sir," said the far
mer, "that is impossible, for | cannot relin-
quish my employment; and you know, SIR, ii
is impossible 10 work without some support"
Mr. Hunter perccving that his patient was
not likely to be readily convinced, inquired
how many acres Of land he cultivated, * what
number Of them was arabic? He next asked,
how many horses were kept upon the farm!
ard hen boldly asserted, that they were too
lfew in number for the quantity OF land. The
farmer maintained that they were sufficient,
but was al length brought to confess, that they
were worked hard. Allow me then, said Mr..
Hunter, TO inquire what it IS that you give
them 10 drink"
It's easier for Mr.. Abernethy to teach than
TO practise, as the following anecdote OF him
b-"daurry p.~-----Dy WY. :il...ri ou )
censor Of the public morals is terribly addicted
both to swearing aid drinking.
sea captain whose cheeks were speckled
with the blossoms of morality and whose red
nose stood out like sign Of good living, was
almost yielding under confirmed indges
ton, he called on Mr. Abernethy, the oracle of
the stomachs Of London, and dialogue like
the following passed between them:
Patient. Oh dear, DR.. what shall do? I'm
dying with dyspepsia-no appetite -feel dread
fully after dinner-cant digest even the wing
Of a chicken.
.A5ern. Do! d-n you! leave off drinking.
Leave off drinking, or you'll die, and be Id
to you as you deserve.
Patient, Why Lord bless you DR.. drink
nothing stronger than porter and not SO much
of that as your honor does of wine.
Abera No matter for that-leave off drink
ing or you'll go for it-But I'll be id if do
though.
Mr.. Abernethy's surly way of Treating bis
patients and oracular mode of delivering his
WISDOM are already familiar from the anec-
dote which has gone the rounds in the papers,
of the lady to whom he said, "Here, Madam,
take this shilling-go to the next toy-shop and
buy you skipping. rope" Perhaps the fol-
lowing is still more charac teristic.
Lady. Doctor, P,e got dreadful COM
plant in my bowels and stomach--a pain in
the pit Of my stomach. What shall do?
.fbern. Give me guinea.
Lady. GiUes il. But, Doctor, what must
do?
.3bern. Read my book On the stomach-here
it is. Give me another guinea.
Lady. But, Doctor, Cant you give me some
thing that will be good for my stomach?
.45ern. Take the blue pills-here is box
of them Give me another guinea. That's ALL
These blue pills are the same with which
The students pelted the learned director of bow
els, on occasion of one ofhis glackguarG lectures
They all shouted" Down with Abernehy! give
him blue pills! Lawrence and the Lancet for.
ever"
Mr.. Abernethy can stand all this, however
as well as the contempt Of all liberal minded
men. From his own experience, he may truly
say, snow man has got stomach very like
lions"
John Hunter is the tutelary divinity of Mr..
Abernethy. He is singing his praises through
out his lectures. There is nothing good or new
or curious but John Hunter knew all about it,
In short, if he may be believed, John Hunter
knew every thing. Though Mr.. AS blind adv
la,ion is that Off. disciple, apd we are no; dis
posed to 60 all lengths with him, still, there is
no doubt that he did make wonderful progress
in his researches into nature, considering that
he stood as it were alone. The science of
comparative anatomy, in England, originated
with him. But unfortunately his successors
have no: been competent to follow him in the
brilliant path ne opened. Comparative Anato>
my has been abandoned 10 the writers Of the
continent; there, indeed, it has been pursued
with unwearied aldor and unequalleG success.
With the single and honorable exception of