The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-02-27
MISCELLANY.
Sketches of Medical Student in Paris.
BY DONJILL sIMIIAwL
No l.-Tha Death of Dnnr1rfra,,

~SasA&
Dupuytrcn, in the science of facts, was
man of action. lie was TO he admired less
for tleoretic invention than for prodigious
faculty of application. His scientific dis
cogeries do not permit him to rank with
Petit Pott, or Dcsault, while, on the
other hand, that marvellous skill Which he
exercised-that fecundity of resources in
tue midst of the most dangerous complica-
tion-that iniallibIe judgment by the touch
made him the first practitioner in science
where practices follows the footsteps of
theory.
+ Ills character, as might be supposed, was
moulded by, the profession his genius had
destined him to follow. This man, who
had every day in his hands the lives Of so
many human beings, whose DEGREES were
without appeal, could not have much SYM
pathy for poor and pitiable humanity, which,
seen from SO near point of view, appeared
to him SO small a matter when compared
with the successful results Of his praclice-
Besides which the heart becomes habitualed
to see suffering. For these marslnals of sci
ence individual lives are regarded in the
same light as soldiers whom It is necessary
to sacrifice in order to gain great battle.
We must confess, i'll spite Of the respect
duo to'so great man, that Dupuytren, per-
haps more than any other, looked upon life
and humanity with profound and sad dis
daiB., His character was harsh, cold and
despotic. He carried into tie world, into
his exterior relations, that rigorous and in
flexible will which made his pupils and sub.
ordinates in tile hospital tremble. Popular
exaggeration relates cruel acts of that SOW
ereign contempt which he had for human.
ity, and it would pain lis to relate facts with
WHICH our memory is only too well supplied.
Hs. colleagues were wounded by his pride
and pretensions to exclusive dominion
The retirement Of Pelcten-to whom he
owned,more than respect-a retirement pro-
v6ked BY him, revived and parlicuarized
his;antipatby. So that when NJ. nj. Orfila,
LarFey, Bariset, Bouilland, Roger, ColIard,
DC, Pronounced over his open tomb the
mast magnificent panegyric on the father of
modern surgery, none of them dared to 90
FURTHER and accord even one of the common
anlpgies Of private life-one Of the amiable
and affectionate virtues of The fire. side-to
the nan'whom death had Just taken. Dr-
puytren was regretted, but unmourned for.
tPdshing to fhe last limits lis doctrine of
skoidte positiveness, Dupuytren combatted
with the most determined ardor against
issssythinetthat he called u,opiau specula-
Con. BEaegress his antipathy degenera-
nsasmse sFecration. His high position at
lhesGogEo az tie Restoration sometimes, how
Sxess Wyesteds from linn certain concessions
from these principles SO rirrevocably rooted
Mhstmihd. Butthe Discrimination to;whicii
nhptytren resigned himself, without ap-
pesTpg taeost him much, only irritated him,
sed Mefeassd his. hatred for opinions not not
MsSWp,. and for persons who maintained
Ahese opinions.
.+D5puytten worked almost constantly, and
few men have led a. life SO busy as his: Win
tsRahds Simmer lie rose at five o'clock in
henSfpiag. Hs;, visited the Hotel Dies
AEaSI8 apd reh3aiued there until eeyen.-.--
He;f666 Hsde his visits, aud returned home
AsnAsYa insslids for consultation. AT.
4th Ae dismissed them with celesty
d&t brutal every day. they we're 90 nus n,I
,t hseAe consultations were otter pro-
JDaf sfteESg gbt Bad-come. - 5
sss3Ss day CONSULTATIONS were prolonged
: eSep later than'usual, and Ddpdytien, ex-
Asssed by fatigue, was about taking some