The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-28
Misrrllanruns.
A PHYSICIAN EXTRAORDINARY.
By Mas. KIRKLAND.

DOctOr ~ sat aIOhe III MS sbuuy I,
when lady was announced.
"Mrs. Waldorf. sir" and the doctor laid
down his pen, and received his visitor very
cordially. She was the wife OF rich Ger
man merchant, and distant cousin Of his
own; a handsome woman, Of abou, five
and thirty, with suiIicien, rePOse Of man.
ner, but too spirited an eye 10 pass Tor
mere fashionable machine.
I" have come 10 you, doctor, instead oi
seuding for you," began the lady, be-
cause 10 not wish Mr.. Waldorf to know
have though, it necessary to consult you.
He Is so easily alarmed, and If he knew
you had prescribed iOr me, would watch me
so closely, and insist so much upon my OBJ
servance Of your directions 10 the very let
ter, tina, should have no peace"
The doctor smiled, as il he though, Mr..
Waldorf would no, be so far wrong as his
lady might suppose.
"But wha, is it, my dear madSpW he
said, taking Mrs. waldford's hanS an,giv-
ing look Of professional scru.'sY 10 her
face. You look well, though lhare is u
Sigh, fiaccidily abou, the eyes, a not quite
so ruby a neither lip as one nigh. wish to
see. What is itp'
"0h! a thousand things, doctor, my
health is miserable-a, least sometimes
think so; have pains in the right side
and such fluiterings at my heaTi--and such
lassi,ude-and such headaches-and sleep
so miserably-"
"Are your pains very severe ! Are they
Of heavy, dull kind, or sharp and dar,ing !
And how Onen do you experience them W
They aIe not very cons,ant-no, not
constant, certainly, nor very seyere-bu,,
doctor, they fill me with apprehensions Of
future evil. i, is not present suffering Of
which complain, so much as fear OF
worse 10 come. dread lest disease should
make such progress, unnoiiced, tha, it will
be vain 10 attempt a cure" And Mrs.
waldOrfs eyes filled with tears at the very
thought OF her troubles.
"You are very wise 10 take il in ,ime,"
said doctor R. Blu, tell me more Of
these symptoms. AT wha, time Of the day
do you generally feel most indisposedn
oh! can scarcely say. When wake
in the morning, ! am always very miserable.
My head is full Of dull pain, especially
about the eyes. My lips are parched; l
find it great eSertiOn 10 dress myself, and
never have the slightest appetite for break.
fast"
sAh, indeed - mused the doctor, you
breakias, as soon As you arise, presume.
AT what hour 90 you retire =
I'VE make il n rule to be in bed by
twelve, unless We happen 10 be engaged
out, which is but seldom. wald'Ui de,ests
parties and late hours We spend our even.
ings with music or books, very quietly
AT what hour do you supi
We have nothing like a regular supper,
but for mere sociabiliy's sake, We have a
tray brought up abou, ten. / take nothing
beyond bi, Of chicken or a few oysters, OF
a slice Of cake, and sometimes only crack
er and glass Of wine. You look as il you
though, even this were better omitted; but
| should scarcely know how to cut of one
Of my husbands few social pleasures. He
would no, touch anything IL did not par
take with him. He thinks as i'll Of suppers
as you do"
a. beg your pardou-l interrupted your
detail o. symptoms TO ask these questions
as 10 the evening. You say you have nc
appetite for breakfast-how long do these
feelings OF languor and exhaustaiiOn con-
,inue to trouble you I"
"oh I generally feel better after cur
Of coffee; and aher practicing at the harp
or the pianOiote for an hour or two, OF
sometimes three, when | have new music,
I generally dive out, and perhaps shop q
liule, or at any rate take Turn into the
country for the air, and usually return
somewhat refreshed"
ado you take airings alone ?"
Yes preiorce, almost There ars
none Of my intimate friends who can 90 with
me. They drive out regularly, and take
children with them, or they have other OBJ
jscis; one cannot ask mere acquaintance
90. so alone, which is no, very exhilarat
ing"