Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-08-04
MIs@Ielt, H. ANWo
CURIOUS MEDICAL WARFAR f..
A FUNNY MATTER.

case was tried in the Justices court at
Harlem, New Y DIRK, on The llth inst. which is
too interesting to pass unnoticed. 1t seems
that Harlem hastwo physicians, DIR. Muner and
DIR. 1lelme, who of course love each other 'ex-
ceedingly. DR. Hefme, having recently es-
tablished himself there, regarded by the
other as trcspassng upon his manor, and DIR.
| Mulner had therefore, lost no opportunity Of
speaking i'll terms not the most flattering, of
his brother in physic. Among other things
he said that DR.. II. was not regular phvsi-
clan, and could not collect his bill by law.
This suit was brought by Dr. H. to prove that
he could ; for ii seems that Nlulner had once
asked him to a consultation for the purpose OF
quizzing and abusing him. High words pass
ed between them on the spot and Helme pre-
sented his bill of IS as his consultation fee, and
demanded payment, which vas refused. Each
party was his own counsel
DIR. J. S. Oatman, physician of this city,
was first summoned as witness. He testif-
ed to the authenticity of the diploma and other
documents presented by DR.. Helme, and IN an
swer to question by Dr. Mulncr, said that
he had known several cases III which one
physician had charged another for professional
services.
Mulner, (hghly excited. )-Name one sill, if
you can.
Oatman--I once new a case which occur.
ed i'll a small town in Massachusetts. An old
physician had for several years been brow
beating younger one in. the town, and one
day sent for him to come and hold a consul
tation at the house of his neighbour The
| young physician arrived and the elder one
pointed to large dog which was standing in
the room, and said, 'there, sir, you see the tail
of that dog curls most beautifully over his back
forming perfect circle.-Now. want YOU to
straighten that dogs tail, and when YOU have
done SO cffectually, / will give you credit for
more surgical knowledge than now believe
You to possess" The young physician at
once took out his instruments, secured the
dog, cut and gashed his tail, and placed it be-
tween spilnters and bandages, & left the house.
The next day he called and found the band
ages had been removed, but he Immediately
replaced them. He called eight successive
days with the sumo result. On the 9th day.
he found Upon calling, That the dog was not at
home; SO taking it for granted that his tail
had been Strengthened, he discontinued his Wis
Its, and presented his bill for 500, 1910 a Wis
it, 20 the senior, physician. Payment was
refused and a suit brought. The case was in
acounty court, and the old gentleman, Upon
consulting legal cotinsel, ascertained that he
'''o'S WI tiIC ucu, anu lie paul Tic ninety
dollars in hard money before the case came to
trial. Roars of laughter by the whole audi
ence in which the Judge was obliged to
join
DIR. Muncr.-1'hat case, sir, however fun
ny you inay conceive II, is not to the point.
DIR. Oatman.-I think ] remember a case
which may be considered parallel to this now
on trial
DIR. Mnlner.-Relate it sir.
DIR. Oatman.-A learned and talented ply
sician moved into town in New Hampshire
and all the resident physicians at once Joined
in common war against him They tried ev-
cry plan to Bring him to Gisrepute, and finally
invited him to deliver before them d course of
lectures on anatomy, informing him at the
same time that they had subject ready for
him. lie complied with their request and or
the day named he appeared in their lecture
room. He found the dissection tables arrang-
ed {, and the subject covered over with white
muslin. On removing the cover, the subject
was found to be huge bull frog The lectur-
or exhibited no signs of surprise, but after
gravely examining his subject he produced his
scalpcl and commenced Gssccling it,