The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-07
iron THE REPUBLIc.l
Five Wounds and Thirteen Doctors.


An old gentleman, with good constitution but
subject to a few minor ailments, was SO unfortu-
nate as to get into a street. fight with of his
neghbors about boundary line. He was victori-
Gus in the contest, but, unluc kily, the blow which
Frustrated his antagonist dealt with so much
force to break the with which it given.
1t was bad fracture, and occasioned so much pain
to the old man, TO make him regret the victory
| which cost him the use of his right arm.
The old family doctor was Immediately called in,
and he at commenced operations restore the
arm; but il in the nature of a compound
fracture, and the old gentleman somewhat en-
feebled by the fight, the operation caused more
than usual pain Part of the family, also were pre-
JUDGED against the doctor, and suggested that ii
would be well TO have a consultation of physicians
upon the case, and, a medical society was then
| sitting in the town, they proposed to submit the
to their advising. Accordingly they sent over
to the society for the aid of thirteen of their num-
Der, all learned and skilful men, who were appoint
| ed committee to examine and report upon the
case
The committee Immediately proceeded 20 exam
inc the patient. They all pronounced it TO be bad
| fracture, that there was some danger Of infamma-
ton, and unless attended TO at once il might en-.
danger the loss Of the arm; but il being suggested
by Of the most distinguished of the faculty. that
as they were all there, and the patient perhaps
would never again have the benefit OF 80 much com
bined medical skill, it due TO him. as well as TO
the faculty, that before they proceeded TO set the
| arm (Which was, after ALL but an ordinary opera
tom there should be examination Of other parts
Of the body, 10 ascertain whether there were no
| other wounds or ailments requiring medical aid
so that they might all be cured at once and the pa
| tient thereby restored to perfect health.
This DrODositiOn he annroLa tiou Of al
the committee. But the old family doctor modestly
| suggested that from his knowledge Of the consti-
tuition and habits Of the patient, he did not think
that he suffered from any other disease requiring
| immediate attention, and they bad better proceed
at once 10 set the arm, and thus relieve his
| suficrings, when they might examine at their lei
| sure his other wounds and ailments. lie insisted
| moreover that there were indications Of inhamma.
| ton about the arm, which might, by delay, in
crease 10 such extent endanger the loss Of the
limb; he had known such cases in his practice !;
he therefore begged the committee 10 listen 10 his
suggestion and TO aid him with their advice. To
this, they and all replied that he talked like
quack, who knew nothing Of the liberal views and
| enlarged practice Of the learned faculty. OF what
use, said they. would il be 10 restore that broken
arm while the patient is afflicted with other mala
dies which, if neglected, may eventually destroy
merely his arm, which they were called upon 10
save; and it would be disgrace to the healing
tif thirteen learned doctors could not find RENE
dy for all his aiments and restore him at once TO
perfect health. Whereupon the thirteen all act 20
work upon careful examination Of their subject,
from head TO foot and, after minute investiga-
ton, most scientifically conducted, IL was ascer-
tanned that the old man afflicted with the fol-
lowing ailments: Let, decayed tooth which in.
famed the lower jaw; ID, a tumor ON the left
shoulder, which threatened 10 terminate i'm a can
Ger; 3D., running sore the calf Of his right lcg
and 9TH, that he had for years been subject 10 the
piles.
These discoveries made il apparent 20 the com.
| mittcc that the patient could not be restored 10
perfect health unless all these diseases were re-
| moved, and that IL nonsense 10 think Of curing
the man by merely setting his arm; some remedy
must be adopted which would cure all at once. Up
this they all agreed, but the difficulty was 70 dc
termino what that remedy should be- Each had
his favorite nostrum, and each maintained the SUI
periority Of his prescription. The dispute be-
came 30 loud and 20 fierce that il reused the old
gentleman from a stopor into which he had fallen,
and he cried out, "For Gods sake, my dear doc
tors, do something for my arm--it pains me aw-
fully. I'll die unless you give me relief" "Be pa
tent, my dear SIR" replied the faculty; "your
broken arm will not kill you; have discovered
other diseases upon your body, which we desire TO
cure at the same time; you must console your
self, under your present suferings, with the
thought that, when we do set your arm, which
VIC hope TO accomplish in few days, we shall, at
the same time, cure all the other diseases Of your
body, and make you sound man, from head to
foot. Think OF the glorious result and forget the
local pain which affcts only one of your limbs
al and al. -
10 you to cure my whole body; have good con
stitution, and time and Providence will cure all
my other ailments. II is this broken arm" (and