Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1855-07-21
selftteo Mi5Gellany
THE NERVOUS GEMTAEEAr5.
FROM THE "REMINISCENCES OF A ruYsIclA

The most troublesome patient which a
medical man can possibly have is Il nor-
vous fdsety hypochondraical gentleman,
and We're it not that such patients were
profitable, members Of the medical profess
ion woull raise a great outcly upon the
subject, aud nerves and nervousness would
be raised bores instead of being attended
to with great gravity, and prescribed for
with great regula ity, the Ordinary medi-
cine given, consisting of bread pills roll
ed in magnesia, and etIervescing draughts,
al liDitum, according to the strength of
the patients credulity and purse. | am a
retired physician nov; so can afford. to
be a little candid now and then.
Nearly twenty years ago there lived in
BIoomsberry Square one Of my best pa
tients, by name OF Mr.. Augustus Brown -
Mr.. Brown was gentleman of compel
ent independence and of literary and ''vir-
tinus turn Of mind. At about 40 years of
age he began to study medicine a little and
to take care of his health Il great deal
He bought medical books, prowlel about
wards and hospitals, and made himself as
unhappy as any UncUnfurtehla mid,lle-
aged single Scntloman could wish to be-
l learned these particulars of HIM from a
friend who recommended him to me-
When | was first called to attend him
not knowing that his diseases wee all i'm
asinary, was quite taken in for a quarter
Of an hour or so.
| found him lying on his back on thc
sofa; the room was da"keuel, and he was
groaning in the extremity of anguish.
turned to his house keeper, who had mar
shalled me in, and sail
What is the matter with Mr.. Brown?
He heard me, and called out.
What is the mat;er-the matter? Oh
oh. oh!!'
! advanced towards him and said,
4 am sorry to find you SO indisposed
, sir
ooh! oh.' was his only answer.
Perhaps, coutinned, you will have til
! kindness to describe your symptoms?'-
After few preparatory groans he com
menced, I-oh-oh-ah, You'll scarcel
believe it, but look at my leg, down IN
ancle, | mean. Oh! oh! horrible! horr
bler
| cast my eyes down to his ancle, an
Il to my surprise saw that it was tied fas
: by a silk handkerchief to the leg of I'll
c sofa.
; What is that for? | said.
'N ou may well ask-oh! oh!'
Il Whatever may be the matter with yo1
ancle, | shall undo this most unsurgica
and very improper bandage.'
Wretch, he cried, would you destrc
me?'
e destroy you?'
i yes. What dependence have |, if
Is am not tied--what hold upon the wor
y have ~
ID what do You mean?' said I.
Ne Listen he said.
Well
4 am too light
Too light?'
'Yes.'
Pray. sir, explain yoursel(?'
You know when balloon goes up"-
Yes, surely
'Why?'
Because it is lighter than an equal bu
of air.
Very good
'We!l-but sir, how does that
't- VI Apply to me, you would say, docto
'' Exactly
- This way. l am lighter than an eq
bulk of air; and if was not tied down
'es @ should SO go up-no-! Oh, it's dreadi
no 10 oh, ah! g
~ He always put in the ah! as if hc
al been suddenly seizrd with some dread
my pain, and it really had most comical
} to feet. Inow saw through the case in a I
-. ment, and said. aG
Are you not mistaken?
Mistaken he cried.