The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-03-24
Treating a Case actively.
Dy JoGN JONES, VI. d.

y
BY JOHN JONES, ". y.
] was once sent for in great haste. 70 al
tend gentleman of responsibility, whose
w.le-a lady ofintelligence aud refinement
had discovered him in his room, lying
senSeleSS upon the floor.
On arriving at the house. found Mrs. II
- in great distress of mind.
/ Nhat is the matter with Mr.. H. |
asked on meeting his lady, who was in tears
and looked the picture of distress.
/ Il am afraid it is apoplcNy,' She. replied
q found him lying on the floor. where he
had to all appearance fallen suddenly from
his chair. His face is purple, and though
he breathes, it is with great difficulty
I went mp TO see my patient. He had
been lifted from the floor and was now ~
ing upon his bed. Sure enough, his face
was purple and his breathing labored. but
somehow the symptoms did not indicate APP
oplcXy. Every vein in his head and face
were inged, and he lay perfectly stupid.
bnt stu saw no clear indications Of an ac-
tual or approaching congestion Of the brain.
( Hadn't he better be Uled, doctor" asked
( the anxious W lie.
Il don't know that that is necessary re-
piled. Il think that if we let lin alone, il
will pass of in the course Of few hours
y few hours lie may die III half al
hour
/ i don't think the case is dangerous, mad.
ann
'Apoplcvy not dangerousr
q hardly think it apoplexy.' replied.
/ 'P a what do you thinl; is, do;'orr
/ Mrs lI-looked anxiously in my face.
/ delcately limited that might possibly
have been drinking too much brandy; but
she positively and almost Indignantly oljec-
ted.
/ no, doctor; ought to know abont that
she continued. 'Depend upon il, the dis.
ease is more deeply seated. am sure he
ought 10 be bed. Won't you bleed him.
doctor: \ few ounces of blood taken frem
his arm may give life to the now stasuant
circulation OF blood in his veins.
Thus urged. |, after some reflection. Or
dered a bowl and baudage, and, opening
vein from which the blood flowed freely,
relieved him from about eight ounces Of his
circulating medium. But he still lay inSen-
Sble as before, much 10 the distress OF
his poor wife.
Something else must be done, doctor
she urged, seeing that the bleeding had ac-
compliShcd nothing. 'Ifmy husband is not
quickly relieved he mustdic.'
BY this time several friends and relatives.
who had been sent for, arrived, and urged up
on me the adoption of more active measures.
for restoring the sick man t. couciousncSS.
One proposed mustard plaSterS all over his
body, another his immersion in hot water.
! suggested that it might be vel! to use q
somach-pump.
why, doctor?'asked one of his friends.
Perhaps he has taken sVme drug &c.
piled.
Impossible, DOCTOR said the wife, 'hc
has been home all day, and there is no dug
of any kind in the house
'No brandy| yentured the suggestion
again.
No, doctor! No spirits Of any kind in the
house, retured Mrs. H-,n an Offended
tone.
Twas not the regular family physicians,
and had been called 10 meet the alarming
emergency because my Office happened TO
be nearest 10 the dwelling Of Mr.. IL. Feel.
Ing my position 10 be difficult one, Sug-
geSted that the family physician had better
be called. But the delay, doe!or,' said the
friends.
No harm will result from it, be assured
replied.
But my word did not assure them. How
ever, as was firm in my resolution not to
do any more for the patient until DIR. S.
came, they had TO submit. | wished to
make call Of Importance in the neighbour.
hood, and proposed going, to be back Ly
the time Dr.S.arivcd; but the friends of the
sick would not suffer me TO leave the room.
When DR.. 8 came, we couvcrsCd n.
side for few minutes, and gave him my
views OF the case, aud stated what had
done, aud why had done it. We then pro-
ceedcd TO tho bedside of our patient. There
was Stillno signs o. approaching conscious.
ness.
'Dou't you think his head ought TO be
shaved aud blistercd| asked the wife anx.
iouSy.
DR.. $ though, a moment, and then
said
YES, by all means. Send for barber
aud also for fresh fly blister, four inches
by ninc.'
| looked into the face Of DR.. S. with
surprise. He was perfectly grave nnd
earnest. limited To him my doubt of the
good that mode Of treatment would do. Bu,
he spoke confidently Of the result, aud said
that il wo'.ld not only cure the disease. but.
he believed, take away the prcdi>poslion
thereto. and with which Mr.. II was at.
tectcd to high degree.
The barber came. The head of Mr..
Il was shaved; and DIR. S.. applied
the blister with his own hands, which com.
plctely covered the scalp from forehead to
occiput.
LET It remain Oh for two hours. and then
make use OF the ordinary dressng,' said
doctor $. If he should no, recover