Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-11-26
From the Model American Courier.
THE HYPOCHONDRIAC.
Presence Of Mind Illustrated.


q phic and interesting sketch, which show
how vitality important is presence OF mind Z
4 the professional man.
A young Spaniard, ofa wealthy and re
L spectacle family of Cape Verde, arrived IL
Paris few months since, accompanied b,
his mother. The moment they had descen
ded from their post chase, they inquired the
address of the celebrated DR.. Orfila: having
ascertaned it. they proceeded directly to his
house and were fortunate enough to find hin
at home. Doctor, said the young man. 'oul
!. ancestors were, believe, compatriots; il IL
however, your European reputation that has
, attracted US hither, ana that induced US to
take SO long a voyage in order to consul,
you.'
The doctor, whilst listening to the son, di-
rected his attention to the mother, whose
sunken eye and palid features bespoke in
tense suffering.
1t is doubtless for Madame-.'
Fortunately. no, interrupted the young
S2aniard, it is for me-.
The mother suppressed sigh and furtive.
ly wiped away tear with her pocket hand
kerchief.
'Ah! you your said the doctor, in tone
of aston ishment, for the young man seemed
to be in the enjoyment Of perfect health
Let's see, sir; give me the details OF your
malady. / am all attention.
The mother gazed earnestly at the doc
tor who now endeavored TO do SO in the same
way that a man of quick sagacity would set
+ about solving some unforeseen enigma.
Doctor, said the son, you see before you
the most miserable being on earth. | am
afflicted with three intrmities which debsr
me from the enjoyment OF those pleasures to
! NH, ab
these infrmities ca use me to Iemble in
the presence Of a woman, and to shun the
society of my own sex; my pride as Span
lard and a gentleman being in my continual
apprehension of some affront, either in love
OF 'iendship. prefer living in solitude, yet
this isolation is killing me. Judge, doctor,
of my position.
| DIR. Orfia bent forward his head and ex-
tended his arms, as ifawaitlng some further
explanation ere he could answer.
The mother cross ed her hands and raised
her eyes TO heaven in the attitude of pray er.
Here is my first infrmity, continued the
young Spaniard placing his foretnger on
his nose; this, have been told, may be ca
silly cured by new operation, recently in
vented by Paris practitioner, and am rea-
dy to submit to anything
The doctor looked at the young mans
nose; its fine aquilne outline. and perfect
chisselng might serve as study for al ar
tist.
Truly said the doctor, $50 conspicuous a
deformity must render you very unhappy
'Oh! doctor, it disgusts me with life itself.
1T is enough to do 80 indeed said the
doctor. Your nose struck me the moment
you entered the room
You see doctor, that am right
Certainly, sir. What a pity, thought |,
that the countenance of that young man sho'd d
be disfgured by so unnatural a deformity.'
That's what every one THINKS, DOCTOR
4 have examined them.'
What do you see!'
Nothing
Precisely SO, doctor, Nothing! no beard!
not even the slightest down! No indIca
ton ofmy sex! If wished to marry, what
man would give me his daughterr
mo man! you are right SIR
Doctor, have employed for the second |
infrmity remedy which friend had pre-
scribed for me: | shave twice day with |
the best English razors.'
And has it not succeededP
Not at all, DOCTOR
'Astonishingv
you see. MOTHER said the young man, tur-
ming to the lady, that the doctor does me full
justice, and does not treat me as a mad man,
like my uncle and cousin
Your uncle and cousin must themselves
be mad, said the doctor. AS soon as you
entered, exclaimed to nyself-what fine
young man, and what apity he has not
handsome beard, such as is worn by the dan
dies of the present day! But let us pass to
the third iOtirmity.'
Have you not already observed it doctorP
'Why--yes--I thought discovered-a
certain
"A certain whatP
A-something exceedingly shocking--iu
Sin my carriage
There is a striking defect there
so well there may be. halt frightfully;
my left foot is four inches shorter than my
right
oh, that is evident at first sight said the
doctor what pity, thought l. that SO hand
some a young man should be lame.'
You understand me, doctor, that with
these three infirmities life is intolerable to
me-
'Intolerable indeed il must be-.
1T is for this | came to you,' said the young
man, crossing his hands devoutly, as if be-
fore some holy image, to you, god oi the
medical art, to implore of you life. am
told that you are in possession of secrets 50
wonderful that they cure what has hitherto
been considered incurable. Take pity on
my condition. Make me live the life Of 9TH
or men, and all my fortune is at your SER
vice.
The poor mother shook her head in des-
pair and wept.
Sir said the doctor, i have been so for
tunate as TO cure even greater infirmities than
yours. If find you submissive and cour-
sgeous patient, -
'Oh, interrupted the Spaniard, cut my
flesh as IL itwere marble, | shall not utter a
complaint sigh shall escape me-
We shall proceed then To tho operation
The mother opened her eyes and gazed
steadily at DR. Orha, who said to her:
'Madam you may stay--make your mind
easy. shall spare your. r.maternal tenderness
~