Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-18

sun, nothng-nothing," he replied languidly,
II suppose u cold generally Expresses ones spirits
is 1t sol is ii assign of Serere'-
1T is n sign that u certain person"-
"fho, Doctor, pho,"-said he: with air of las
situde-"don't think me childish,-I'll tell you
candidly what has contributed to depress my spir-
ITS. For this last week So I've had Il strange
sort of conviction that
"Nouscnse.-nonc of your nervous fancics"--
"Ah, but hare, Doctor" he continued, scacrc
noticing the Interruption, 1--we felt sort Of pre-
scntimcnt-a torehodiTg that-that-that some
tang or other would occur to prevent my marriage"
"Oh, tush-tush-cvcry one has these low ncr-
v"us t;incies that is not accustomed TO sickness
''Woll-it may be sol hope it may be nothing
more; but l seem to hear voice whspcring--or ut
least, TO be under influence to that effect that
tho cup will be dashed brmfu from my opening
hps-a fearful sip.-It seems as if my Ellen were
too great happiness for the Fatcs to allow one"
'''Fhis wont do at ALL" replied l. taking my pen
in hand, and beginning TO write prescription.
''Arc you thirsty at all? any catching i'll the sdo
when you breathe? Any cough7" &c. &c, said L,
asking him the usual routine of questions. L fear
cd from the symptoms lie described, that no had
caugh very severe, and possibly obstinate, Geld
so prescribed active medicines. Amongst others,
I recollect ordering him fourth of grain of tar
torised dntmony every four hours, for the purpose
of encouraging the inscnsiblc pcrspration, and
thereby determining the flow outwards. then
left him, promising to call about noon the next day,
expressing my expectations of finding him perfect
tho following morning in bed, thoroughly under
the lnruv"oo 0f tt'e medicines l had prescribed,
and, in fact much better in every rvspvct. The
whole surface of his body damp, and clamny to
the touch and he had exactly the proper sensation,
OF nausca-both occasionod by the anthony 1
contented myself with prescribing a repetition of
tho medicines.
"Well, Captain, and what has become Of YOUR
glorious lorebodings of last nightr' I incurred
with smile.
"Why-hcm. Pm certainly not quito so dcspond-
ing as was last night; but still, the goal-the
goals not reached yet. I'm not we'll yet-and even
if were there's good fortnghrs space for con-
tlngencies" / cnjoined him to keep house
Tor DAY or two longer, and persevere with the
medicines during that time, in order to his complete
recovery and he reluctantly acquiescod
1.-THE Captain kept not his word, and Welding to
the persuasions of friend and brother officer, a
relation OF Ellen, went that night to the Opera.1
L found him calling in the morning, exhibit
ing the lnciplent symptoms of inflammation of
tho lungs. He complained of increasing difficulty
OF breathing, sense of painful oppression and
construction all over his chest and hard harass
ing cough, attended with cxcrutiating pain His
pulse quivered and thrilled under the finger like
tense hnrp-string after it has been tranged the
whole surface of his body dry and heated; his
face WIS flushed and full of anxiety. A man of
his robust constitution, and plethoric habit was
one OF the very worst subjects of inflammation, ]
TOOK from the arm, myself, very large quantity of
blood-which presented the usual appearance in
such casos-and prescibed active lowering rcmc-
dies. But neither these measures, nor the applics
ton OF large blister in the cvenng-when again
saw hlm-secmed to make any impressions the
complaint, so ordered him to be bed again. Poor
Captain C! From that morning he propcred
himself for fatal Termination of his Illness and
lamsnted, in the most passionate terms, that he
had not acted up to my advice in time
On returning home from my evening visit, found
an express, requiring my instant attendance on
lady ofdistinction in the country, an old patient of
min luHVvD oh tn l,t,rr,
time to do more than to commit the case ofCaptain
9, and another equally urgent, to the care
OF Lr: D, friend ofmine close by, mplor-
ing him to keep up the most active treatment with
tho Capain-and promising him that l should re-
turn during the next day. was detained in tho
country for two days, during which scarcely left
L0dy--'s bedroom an instant; and before LEI
Tor town she expired, under heart rcndng circum-
stances On returning to town, found several
urgent cnses requiring my instant attention, and
hrst and foremost that of poor Captain C.
DR.. D was out so hurried to my PATIENTS
bel side at once 1t cannot iniure any one at this
distance of time, to state plainly, that the poor
Captains case had been most doporably rnsman
aged during my absence. 1t owing to no fault
OF my friend DIR. D-,who had done his ut
most and had his own large practice to attend to-
lie was therefore under the necessity of committing
the ease to the more immediate superintendent of
young and inexperienced member of the profess
sion, who, in his ignorance and tmidity threw aside
the only chances for CAPTAIN C-'s life-rcpeated
blood-letting. Only once did Mr.. bleed him;
and then took away about four ounces. Under the
Judicious management of DIR. D, the inroads of
tho inflammation had been sensiby checked; but it
rallied again and made head against the languid re-
slstance continued by the young apothecarv; so that
arrived but IN time to witness the closing scene
lie was absolutely whitening under the fever; the
difficulty with which he drew his breath amounted
almost to sulfocation. He had dry hacking couch
the oppression of his chest greater than ever;
and what he expectorated was of n black coIour
lie was dclirious, and did not know me- He fan
cied himself on the river, rowing-then endeavonr-
ing to protect Miss --fron the inclemency of
the weather! and the expressions of meving tender
ness which he coupled with her name, were heart
breaking Then again he thought himself in
experimenting the alterations of his
house, which was getting ready for their reception
on their marriage. Ho mentioned ma name
and said, ''What gloomy man that DR.. --is
Ellen! he keeps one stcwing in bed for weolz #
one has but a common cold."
Letters were despatched into --shire TO az
quaint his family, and that of Miss -, with the
melancholy tidings Of his dangerous illness Sc
veral of his relations made their appearance:
but os Miss IS party did not go direct home.
but staid day or two on the way, presume the
letters reached -- House long before their arri- |
VAL and were not seen by the family before poorf
Capt. G. had expired!
called again on him in the evening The first
glance at his countenance sufficed to show me that
he could not survive the night. | found that the
cough and splitting had ceased suddenly; he felt no
pain; hl5 feeble, varying pulse indicated that the
powers of nature were rapidly sinking His lips had
assumed fearfully livid hue, and were occasional
y rctracted so to show all his teeth; and his
whole countenance fallen. He was quite sen
sible, and aware that no was dying. He bore the
with noble fortitude saving, it was bnt
the fruit of his-own imprudence and FOLLY He so