The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-20


SPANISH PHYsIciAN.-Most Spsniards
who can afford it have their family or bolster
doctor, the Medico de CabeoerG, and their
conlessor. This pair take care Of the bodies
and souls OF the whole house, bring them
gossip, share their puehero, purse and iobae-
co. They rule the husband through the wo-
men and the nursery, nor do they allow their
exclusive privileges to be infringed on. Etl-
quette is the life Of a Spaniard, and often his
death, since every one has heard (the Span
iards swear il is all French lie) that Phil
lip iii. was killed rather than violate a
form. He was seated too near the fire, and,
although burning, of course as kingo Spain
the impropiety Of moving himself never en-
tered his head, and when he requested one oil
his attendants to do so, none, in the absence
of the proper officer whose duty il was to
superintend the royal chair, yentured TO take
that important liberty. In case OF sudden
emergencies among her Catholic Majesty
subjects, unless the family doctor be pres
ent, any other one, even if called in, gene,
rally declines acting until the regular Escu,
lapiuS arrives. An English medical friend oil
ours saved Spaniard's life, by CHANGING to
arrive when the patient, in an apopleetic it,
was foaming at the mouth and wrestling
with death; all this time strange doctor
was sitting quietly in the next room smoking
his cigar at the brasero, the chahng dish
with the women Of the family. Our friend
instantly took thirty ounces from the suffer
er's arm, not one Of the Spanish party even
moving from their seats. Thus Apollo pre-
served him The same medical gentleman
happened to accidentally call on a person
who had an inflammation in the corner
of the eye on questioning he found that
many consultations had been previously held
at which no determination was come to TN
til at the last, when bathing was pre-
scrbed, with a course OF asses milk and
Chiclana snake-broth; our heretical friend
who lacked the true faith, just touched the
diseased part with cauStic. When thu:
application was reported at the next consul
tation the native doctors all crossed them
selves with horror and amazement, which
was increased when the patient recovered in
a week.
As a general rule at the first visit, they
look as wise as possible, shake their head:
before the women. and always magnify the
complaint, which is a safe proceeding all
over the world, since all physicians can
either kill or cure the patient; in the frs
event they get greater credit and reward
while in the other alternative, the disease
having been beyond the reach Of art bears
the blame. The medicos exhibit conside
rable ingenuity in prolonging an apparent
necessity for continuance OF their visits
A common interest induces them to pull to
gether--a rare exception in SPan-and play
into each others hands. The family doctor
whenever appearances will in anywise Jus
tily him, becomes alarmed, and, requires {
consultation, a Juntd. Whatever any
Spanish Junta is in affairs of peace or wal
need not be explained; and these are lik,
the rest, they either do nothing, or wha
they do do, is done badly. At these meet
ings from three TO seven Msdicos de apela
rcion, consulting physicians, attend, or more
according to the patients purse: each goe.
to the sick man, feels his pulse, asks hin
some questions, and then retires to the mex
room to consult, generally allowing the in
valid the benefit Of hearing what passes
The Protomedico, or senior, takes the chair
and while all are lighting their cigars. tn,
family doctor opens the case, by stating III,
birth, parentage, and history Of the patient
his constitution, the complaint, and tn
medicines hitherto prescribed.
The senior next rises, and gives his opin
ion, often speaking for half ar hour; tn,
others follow in their rotation, and then tn,
Protomedioo, like Judge, sums up, goinl
over each opinion with comments tn
usual termination is either to confirm tn
previous treatment, or make some insignif
cant alteration the only certain thing is I,
appoint another consultation for the mex
day, for which the fees are heavy, each ia
king from three to five dollars. The con
sultation often lasts many hours, and be
comes at last chronic complaint
Spdniards and their Country.
SPANISH PREscRIPTIoSs.--The prescrip
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