The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-25

had stated was correct. The limb had been
badly fractured, and had never been ban
daged, and from neglect gangrene had super
vened, and the child's leg from his foot to his
knee was in state Of putrefaction. He was
so much enfeebled by his sufferngs, that
death was stamped upon his counlenance,
and was satisfied that he could not live "a
hours, much less survive on operation. / so
informed the mother, stating 10 her that 10
amputate the limb would only hasten the
boys death, and add to his pains while living,
declining at the same time peremptorily, all
participation in proceeding so useless and
barbarous under the circumstances. She
implored me with tears aud means, not thus
to give up her child without an effort. l told
her again that all efforts to save him would
be useless, and only add to the anguish Of
which lie was now dying.
But this could not satisfy mothers affec-
ton, she could not thus yield her offspring TO
the cold embrace of death, and tomb in the
wilderness. A Canadian Frepchman, who
belonged to this emigrating party was pres
ent, and stated that he had formerly been an
assistant TO n surgeon in some hospital, and
had seen many operations Of this nature per-
formed,and that he would ampntate the childs
limb, if declined doing it, and the mother
desired it. j could not suppress an involun-
tary shudder when this proposition
the consent ofthe weeping mother, and saw
the preparation made for the butchery of the
little boy. The instruments 10 be used were
common butcher knife, a carpenters haud-
saw, and shoe makers nwl to take up he
arteries. The man commenced by gushing
the flesh 10 the bone around the calf of the
leg, which was in u state of putrescence. He
then made am incsion just below the knee a.
commenced saving, but before he had coin
pleted the amputation ofthe bone, lie con-
C luded that the operation should be perform
ed above the knee. During these demon
STATIONS the boy never uttered groan or
complaint, but saw from the change in his
countenance kat he was dying. The opera
tor, without noticing it, proceeded 10 sever
the leg above the knee; cord was drawn u
round the limb, above the spot where it was
intended TO sever it, so tight that il cut thro'
the skin into the flesh. The knife and saw
were then applied, and the limb amputated.
A few drops only of blood oozed from the
stump; the child was dead-his miseries were
over! ....
The scene of weeping and distress which
succeeded this tragedy cannot be described.
The mother was frantic, and the brothers aud
sisters ofthe deceased boy were infected by
the intense grief of their parent. From this
narrowing spectacle, was called 10 visit the
father of the dead child WHO was lying pros
idlO III HlO lCut3 liCdPublC vi ulOFliS a iiibH,
with an inflammatory rheumatism, produced,
as supposed from his statement, by wading
streams and exposure to rains, during the
commencement of the journey, while under
the icAuence of large doses of calomel. lie
was suffering from violent pain in all his
bones. which, added to his mental affection
from the death orhis child, seemed to over
whelm him. He told me that he had been
unable TO walk or sit upright for toL" weeks.
He begged that would prescribe something
for his relief comfortcd him with all ihe
encouragement in reference to his case that
could conscentiously give, and left some
medicines, enoining him, however, not 10
deviate one thousandth part ofa scruple from
my directions, unless he wished TO die ut
once. The propensity of those afflicted by
disease, on this journey, is frequently TO de-
your medicine as they would food, under the |
delusion that large quantities will more speed
lily and effectually produce cure. The re-
verse is the fact, aud it is sometimes danger
Gus TO trust patient with more than single |
dose. ~ lib
From this family, was called TO visit n
lady, the wife ofone of the emigrants who
had been i'll for several weeks, ofan intermit- |
tent fever. She had taken large quantities of
medicine, and her strength aud constitution
appeared 10 he so much exhausted, that had
no hopes other recovery unless the company
TO which she belonged could suspend their
march for week or more, and give her rest
This communicated to her husband, and
left shuch medicines, and gave such advice in
regard to nurseing, as Thought would be the
most useful in her case. A young man APP
piled TO me for relief, who, after had exam
ined him, / believed TO be laboring under, n
disease of the hoart. told him that could
do nothing for him. That the journey might
effect his cure, but no medicine which pos
sessed would have any other than an injuri-
Gus effect.
After visiting some four or five other per-
sons more or less intlisposed, and prescribing
for them, by invitation ofColonel ThOruton,l
walked from this encampment TO his, about
three fourths of mile distant Col. T., it
will be remembered, was member of the
Oregon party, which separated from us about
two weeks since. In crossing the Platte bot
tom to his encampment we forded two or
three small streams, flowing into the main riv-
er. Their waters are brackish and bitter
with saline and alkaline impregnation. On
our arrival at Col. Thornton's camp, my old
and late fellow-travellers were
rejoiced to see me. They evinced their
pleasure by many kind and cordial D1anifes-
tations. Mrs. Thornton, n lady of education
and polished manners, received me in her
tent as she would have done in her parlor at
uoHle' L was HlOSt nOSpltdpiy anu aStSeupiy
by these my respected friends
Between eight and nine o'clock in the eve
ming, was invited to attend wedding /
which was to take place in the encampment 4
The name ofthe bridegroom did not learn, {
but the bride was Miss Lard, a very pretty I
young lady, who, doubt not, will be the an
cestress offnture statesmen and heroes Oh
The shores ofthe Pacific. The wedding GER
emonies were reformed by the Rev. Mr.
al. al,