Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-04-03

well, doctor, what do you think Of
her p said Mr.. Smith, with heavy, op.
pressed expiration.
She Is III, sir and viii require attention.
but, doctor. you don't think my child
dangerous, do you?' said the father with
m alarmed manner.
IL is right that you should know, sir
that your daughter Is. to all appearance.
threatened with tho typhus fcvcr. But
| don't think there Is any cause for alarm,
only for great care in her physician and
% doctor, can trust her in your hands?
But am foolish; ! know that there Is no
one IN this city OF moro acknowledged
skill than yourself You must pardon q
father's fears. Spare no attentions, doc
tor-visit her at least twice n day, and
you SHALL be we'll paid for your attentions
Save my child for mo, and will owe you
eternal gratitude
All that can do for her, shall be done,
SIR said DR.. Elton.
Just relieved from tho care Of q DANCE.
rous case in its healthy change, DR.. Elton's
mind had relaxed from the anxiety which
too frequently burdoncd il; for physl-
cian's mind is always oppressed while the
issue Of life or death hangs upon his pow
cr to subdue disease, which may be too
deeply seated to yield to the influence Of
medicine. Now, all the oppressive sense
OF responsibility, tho care, the anxiety,
were to bc renewed, and felt with even q
keencr concern.
In the evening he called in, but there
was no pcrceptiblc change. except slight
aggravation of all the symptoms. The
had produced no visible salutary
effect. During the second day, there was
exhibited little alteration, but on the NOR
ming of the third day, symptoms Of more
decided character had supcrvened-such
as sulfused and injected eyes, painful Dc
glution, an oppression in the chest, accom-
panied with a short, dry congh, pains in
the back, loins. and extremities, and a
soreness throughout the whole body
These had not escaped the fathers obser-
vation, and with the most painful anxiety
did he watch the countenance Of the
physicsan while he examined the case in
its new presentation. Much as he tried
to control the expression Of his face, he
found ii impossible. He felt too deeply
concerned. and was too conscious of the
frequent impotence Of medicine, when
with the most experienced
skill.
In the afternoon he called again, and
fouud the father, as usual, by the beside.
His patient seemed to be in q narcotic
sleep, and when reused from il, com plain
ed Of much giddiness, and soon sunk
down in torpor.
what do YOU thing Of her now, doctor"
asked tho father, in a hoarse whisper, on
tho physicians leaving tina chamber Of his
PATIENT
1T is impossible to form any correct
idea respecting case like this. have
seen many much worse recover. and have
no doubt, as far as human calculation will
go, that your daughter will get we'll. But
the fever is tedious one, usually defying
all attempts at breaking it. It must run
its course, which is usually somo ten or
fifteen days. All wc can dol to palliate,
and then assist cature, when the disease
has abatcd its violence"
1t isnot necessary to trace the progress
of the disease from day to day, until it
reached its climax. When tho fever did
break, and a soft gentle moisture pcnetrat-
cd the skin, the patient had but spark OF
life remaining.
At the close of tho fifteenth day, when
every symptom indicated. that convales-
cence or death would soon cnsuc, no one
but a ply sician ca imagine tho painful,
restless anxiety which was felt by DR.. FL
ton. He took but little food, and slept
hardly any during tho whole night, frc.
qucntly starting from his brief periods oI
troubled slumbcr, in consequence Of great
nervous excitement,
Early in the morning he called at the
room of his patient trembling, lest frs'
glance should dash every hope to the
ground. IIc entered softly, and perceived
the father bending over her with q trouL'
led, anxious look. She was asleep. lls
took her hand, but let ii drop Instantly
What is tho mattcr?'. asked the. fathe'
in an alarmed whisper, his face growing
pale.
"Shc is safe" responded the Doctor, II
a low whisper, every pulse thrilling will
pleasant excitement.
The father clasped his hands, lookct
upward a moment and then burst int
tears.
How can ever repay you for your skill
in saving my child! he said, after his feel
ings had grown calmer.
II was nearly amonth before the daugh
ter was well enough to return home ,durinI
most OF which time Dr. Elton was in ut
tendance. For fifteen days he had aitcn
ded twice a day regularly,and for nearly q
long period once day. ss.a ..
While sitting in his Office one day aborl
three O'Clock, waiting for his carriage {
come up to the door, Mr.. Smith cn;ere'
and asked for his bill, rs he was about I
leave. On examining his account-bool
DR.. Elton found chat he had made abou
fifty visits, and accordingly he madc OF
his bill fifty dollars. as s.il.sal
allow much is this, doctorr said NJ
S NTH, cyeingthe bill with something {
do ubt in the expression of bis counter