The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-10-05
GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH
THE MEDICINES.
BY A SWAMP DOCTOR

! Installed INTO the Office, "youT fist duty
must to get acquainted with the different
medicines. This is a Dispensatory-as
youread of a drug, you will find the ma jor-
ity mentioned on the shelves, take it down
and digest here unfortunately Cor the
peace of mind and general welfare of a
loafing Indian, who hung continually s.
round the Office, seeking what ne might de-
your, OF rather steal the doctor, was He'd
away in great hurry, and did not have
time to finish his sentence, so "take it down
and digest" By the father of pysic,
thought |, this study Of medicines is not the
pleasant task anticipated--raLher arduous
IN the long run for the stomach, | should
judge, to swallow and digest all the medi-
cines from Abracalabra to Zinzib3r: Why
some of them are vomits, and I'd like to
know how they are to be kept down long e.
nough to be dlgested. Now; as for lamar
lnds, or liquorice, or white sugar, | might
go them; but aloes, and rubarb, and castor
oil, and running your finger down your
throat, are rather dis agreeable any way you
can take them. I'm in forit, though, snp-
pose its the way all doctors ar made, and
| have no claim to be exempted. And
for the big book with the long names.
| opened it upon the list OF the metals
Reading them in the order that alphabet
cal arrangement entitled to, was "Asenic;
dsOdly poison. Best preparation. Fowler's
solution. Symptoms from an overdose,
burning in the stomach, great thirst, exces-
sive vomting," g., DC. With eyes disen-
ded to their utmost capacity, | read the
dread enumeration of its properties. What!
take this internal medicament down digest
it, and run the chances of its not being an
overdose? Can't think of it a moment.-I
Pll go back to my plough first; but then the
doctor knew all the dangers when he gave
his directions: and he was 50 precise and
particular there cannot be any mistake
Ill take n look at ut anyhow, and [ hunted
1t up. AS the dlSpensatory preferred Fow-
lers Solution; selected that. Expecting to
find but small quantity, was somewhat
surprised when discovered it in four gal
Ion bottle, nearly full. Itook out the stop
per, and applied 1t cautiously to my nose,---
Had it not been for the label, bearing in
addition to.Lhe name, the fearful word "Poi-
| would have sworn it WAS old Bourboun
whishey. Old Tubba, the Indian, was sit
ting in the office door, Watching my proceed
ings with great deal of interest. Catching
the spurious olor ofthe ARSENAL solution, he
rose up, and approaching me eagerly say
ing .tf# ,aE ...
"Ugh, lnjun want whisky give Tubba
whisky; bring wild duck---so many" held
ing up two OF his fingers.
The temptation was strong, must con-
fess. The medicines hal to be tested; and
felt very much dlsincllned to depart this
life ust then, when the pin feathers of sci
encc had just commenced displacing the
soft down OF dncAllngdom. But this Indian
he is of no earthly. account or use to any
one, no one would miss him, even were he |
to take an overdose. Science often has de-
manded sacrifices and he would be a will |
ing one; butt may kill him. | can't do
it; to kill man before | get my diploma
would be murder. A jury might not so
pronounce it, but conscience would. can't !.
swallow it, and Tubba must not. These |
were the thoughts that flashed through my
mind, before | replied to the Indians re-
quest
"Indian can't have whisky. Tobba drink |
whisky-Tubba do So"
Here | endeavorrd to go through the
Dautomins of dy ing, as was not sufficient
master Of Choctaw to explain myself. |
lifted glass to my mouth, and pretended
% empty it then gave short yell; clapping
NY hands over my stomach, staggering,
Jerking my hands and feet about, as fell
on the floor, repeating the yells, then turn.
ed on my face, and lay still as though was
dead. But to my chagrin, all this did not
seem to affect the Indian with that horror
that [ intended; but on the contrary he
5runted out series Of ughs, expressive Of
MS satisfaction saying ..
ugh Tuhba want get drunk too"
The dinner hour arriving, dismissed
old Tubha, and arranging my toilet, walk
I'd up to the dwelling house near half mile
ilstant where was detained several hours
'y the presence Of company to whom |
was forced to do honors, the doctor not hav-
ne returned.
AT length got released and returned to
he office, resolved 10 suspend my studies
Until | could have a talk with my preceptor.
Cor even on my ignorant mind, the shadow
,f doubt Was falling as to whether there
night not be some mistake in my understsn-
ling of his language.
Entering my office, my eyes involuntari-
y sought the solution of arsenic. Father
# purges itand pukes it was gone! "Tubba
rou're gone case. onght to have hid
len it. might have known he wonld steal
t after smelling the whisky. Poor fellow; +
is no use to try and tiud him F.; he's stuck
sraiyht line for the swamp. Poor fellow r
It's all my fault" Thus upbraiding myself 4
or any carelessness, walked back into my II
'ed room. And my astonishment may be Ft
when discovered the filthy In
liam tuckedin nicely between my clean
heets. a. -. Fst #a h
So all appearances he has in desperate
ondition the fatal bottle lying hugged close
y in his embrace, nearly empty. He must
e suffering awfuIly, Thoughts |, when hui
nanity had triumphed oyer the indignation
elt at the liberties he had taken; but. Indi
Mike, he bears it without a groan, Well
as his race been called the .SGoics of the
vood, the men without a tear'' Bus must
ot let him die without an effort to save him
don't know what to do myself, 80 I'll call \
a DR.. B., and away posted. But DR.. B.,
vas absent; so was DR.. l., and in fact every
)r. oftthe town. Each Office howeyer,con-
aimed one or more students; and as half
oaf is better than no bread, speedily in
ormed them Of the condition Of affairs; and
.,c II