The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
Treating "a ease actively.
ny Holm ZONES. Md.

distress of mind
What is the matter with Mr. H." asked on
ture OF distress
81 am afraid it is apoplexy," she replied 81 found
him lying on the floor where he had to all appearance
fallen suddenly from his chair His face is purple and
though ne breathes, II is with great difficulty"
! went up to see my patient He had been lifted from
the floor and was now lying upon the bed Sure enough,
his face purple and his breathing labored but some
how the symptoms did not indicate apoplexy. Every
vein in his head and face was tnged, and he lay per-
tecty stupid, but still saw clear indications Of an
actual or approaching congestion OF the brain
Hadn't he better be bled doctor !" asked the anxious
wife.
81 don't know that that !" replied 81 think
if we let him alone, it will pass of in the course of few
hours" ~
"A few hours. He may die in half an hour"
81 don't think the case is so dangerous, madam"
"Apoplexy not dangerous %
81 hardly think il apoplexy," replied
pray, what do you think it is, doctori"
Mrs H looked anxously in my face
deicately limited that he might possibly have been
drinking too much brandy but she positively and almost
objected
mo, doctor ought to know about that" she con-
tinued depend upon it, the disease is more deeply
seated | am sure he had better be bed Won't you
bleed him, doctor' A few of blood taken from
his arm may give life TO the now stagnan circulation of
blood in his veins
Thus urged, |, after reflection, ordered bowl
and bandage, and, opening vein from which the blood
flowed freely, relieved him of about eight ounces OF his
circulating medium But he still lay insensible as before
much to the distress OF his poor wife.
Something else must be done, DOCTOR" she urged,
seeing that the bleeding had accomplished nothing. eff
my husband is not quickly relieved, he must die"
BY this time several friends and relatives, who had
been sent for, arrived and urged upon the adoption
OF some more active measures for restoring the sick man
to consciousness One proposed mustard pasters all
over his body, another his immersion in hot water
suggested that it might be well 10 stomach pump
why, doctor" asked one of his friends.
"Perhaps he has taken some drug" replied
'lmpossble, doctorv said the wife, ''he has been
home all day, and there is drug of any kind in the
house"
''No brandy /" ventured the suggestion again
ono, doctor! No spirits of any kind in the house," re-
turned Mrs. H, IN an offended tone.
was not the regular family physician, and had been
happened 10 be nearest to the dwelling of Mr. H.
Feeling my position to be difficult one, suggested that
the family physician had better be called
''But the delay, doctor" said the friends
"No harm will result from it, be assured" replied
But my word did not assure them. However, as was
firm in my resolution not to do any for the patient
until DR.. S came, they had to submit | wished to
make call OF Importance in the neghborhood, and pro-
posed going, TO be back by the time Dr. s. arrived but
The friends OF the sick would not suffer leave the
room.
When DR.. S. came, conversed aside for few
minutes. and gave him my views of the and stated
what had done, and why had done il We then pro-
ceeded to the bedside Of patient There still no
signs OF approaching consciousness
Don't you think his head ought to be shaved and
blistered" asked the wife anxiously.
DR.. s. thought a moment, and then said
eyes, by all means Send for barber; and also for
fresh fly blister four inches bv nine"
looked into the face of Doctor s. with surprise
He was perfectly grave and earnest limited to him my
doubt OF the good that mode OF treatment would do But
he spoke confidently of the result, and said that it
would not only cure the disease, but he believed take
away the predisposition thereto, and with which Mr.
H was affected to high degree.
The barber came. The head of Mr.. H was
shaved and DR.. S. applied the blister with his own
hands which completely covered the scalp from forehead
to occiput
"Let remain for two hours. and then make use of
the ordinary dressing" said Doctor S.. lf he should
not during the action of the blister don't feel
easy Sensibility will be restored soon after"
did not call again; but heard from Doctor S. the
result.
After we left the friends stood anxously around the
bed upon which the sick man lay; though the blister be-
gan TO draw no signs OF returning consciousness showed
themselves, further than an occasional low moan
uneasy tossing of the For two hours the burning
parched the tender skin of Mr.. HIS head, and was
then removed; 1t had done good service. Dressings
were then applied repeated and repeated again. but still
the sick man lay in deep stupor
at has done no good Hadn't we better send for the
doctor?" suggested the wife.
with half supeded surprise from face to face of the any
ious group that surrounded the bed.
"What in the mschief's the matter ]" he at length
said; At the same time feeling strange sensation about
his head he placed his hand rather heavily thereon.
Heavens and earth J" He was now fully in his
senses Heavens and earth What ails my headw
For mercs sake keep quiet" said the wife with
''Dont say a word but lie very still p
"But my head 1t feels as if scalded Where's my
har' Heavens and earth, Sarah! don't understand
this. And my arm! What's my arm tied up in this way
for ?"
"Be quiet. my dear husband, and I'll explain it all
Oh, be very quiet; your life depends upon it."
Mr. H sank back upon the pillow from which he
had rsen and closed his eyes to think He put his hand
to his head and felt it tendery all over, from temple
temple, to and from nape to forehead
sis it a blister - he at length asked
eyes, dear. You have been very ILL., We feared for
your life, said Mrs. H, afectionatey. There have
been two physicians in attendance
H closed his eyes again. His lips moved Those
nearest not much edited by the whispered words
that proceeded therefrom. They would have sounded
strangely in church. to polite and refined After
this be lay for some time quiet
Threatened with apoplexy, suppose ?" he then sad
mterrogativey,
eyes, DEAR" replied his wife, 81 found you living in
sensible upon the floor happening TO into your
when did, or you would certainly have died"
H shut his eyes and muttered something, with an
air of Impotence. But its meaning not understood
Finding hun out OF danger, friends and relatives re-
tired, and the sick man left alone with his family
"Sarah !" he said, "why in Heavens name did you
permit the doctors TO butcher in this way Fin laid
up for week or two, and all for nothing"
cit was to save your life, dear"
"Save the DIP
"H-u-s-h There Do for Heavens sake be quiet
Everything depends upon it."
With gesture OF impotence, H shut his eyes
teeth and hands, and lay perfectly still tor some time
Then he turned his face to the wall, muttered In low,
petuant voice
"Too bad too bad too bad"
H-'s disease; neither had Doctor S., although he
mode of treatment, The facts