Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-06
LIVE "SUBJECT.n
Scene In q Disseetisg Room.


from Mobile by my father, to study medicine
at the North. / listened to my FIRST course of
lectures in Philadelphia, and there made the
acquaintance of Professor - who is prob
ably the best demonstration in physiology that
ever taught the young idea how to shoot, allo-
Pathically, on this side of the Atlantic was
fortunate enough to become particular favor
lite OF his, and was introduced by him to one of
the cleverest surgeons in-I think-the world
HIS name s.. l will call him the Profess
sor, however. He il one Of those individuals
Tor whom you at once conceive great dislike,
or wonderful partiality; and it was the lat
ter l, at the first time we met, felt for him.
he was strange being; at least he seemed
so to ne upon our first meeting and for ever
afterwards. Oftentimes he drank deeply and
while under the influence Of drink, be would
let faIl curious hints concerning "blighted
hopes, I" the rascality Of kindred" and - the
folly Of snpposing any affection sprang from the
ties c. consanguinity." On one of these COM
municative occasions be told me heart-rend
ing history Of family experiences gathered,
by piecemeal, from bis conversations, the fact
that one oil hIs own blood had treated him most
heartiessly, and driven him, by fraud of the
grossest character, from his native place to this
country, penniless and friendless.
Aougnt 10 say, eH pGSS1Ht, that bis drinking
bouts were conducted strictly upon the gentle
manly plan, and were seldom or never made
known TO the public, or even to the majority of
and Furthermore, 1 should remark that be is
well advanced in years, although no doubt you
know that already
MY evlFspirit is upon me, - he would some
times say to me; and then he would illustrate.
IN ms con1uct and manner, the most singular
phases OF hypochODdria ever witnessed
Ii appears that he was born in the town of
y, IL must be guarded, for / am now yio-
lating conhdence,) and was unfortunate enough
considering the laws which give the elder brother
everything, to be ushered into the world after
ms brother John For this frers he felt the
lntensest affection. To him be confded his
tory OF his hopes; to him he looked. more than
10 nis inhrm father, for advice; to him he com.
munlcated narrative Of his love- and of his
successful wooing. The maiden of his choice
was beneath him in wealth and station, but
ms brother approved of that choice, and he
was content.
Ii is necessary to my object, in penning this
narrative, only to state that the elder brother
seduoed the girl, robbed, by fraud of the
basest character, her honorable lover of all his
means, (aiso reducing the old father to penury
oy iorgerles } and then decamped, taking the
girl along, to Italy.
Did you never take vengeance upon the
seducer % inquired, Hhsn he related these
facts TO me.
did not regard either of them as being
worthy OF my anger" be replied land never
followed them an inch"
IL
"Yes-several times. The last news + cot
was to the effect that she had become shame
less and besotted, and was living in a condi-
ton OF public intamy in Paris OF course he
had left her,"
"And he?"
Had become gambler-some wrote TO me.
thief (Here be shuddered.) Certain it was
that ne had squandered all OF his ill-gotten
This was all could gather of his early and
domestic history But to the point of my COM
munication.
Three weeks ago, the Professor WAS To ex-
plain 70 rs all "a class Of students) a certain
condition OF the human stomach and he was
to do this practically in the dissectipr.room.
mere wa dispute as to the rropriety of some
oil tne late DIR. Marshall Halls teachings with
reference TO the divisions of the nervo1, svs-
tenn, and the Professor was 10 ,ettIs ths jj.-
Pute, scalPel In hand. The division of DR.. Hall.
permit me TO say, arraDges the nervous system
lnto tnree sections: the cerebral or sentient vol
un'aiyi tne true spinal, or e1citomo or, and the
gaoghonic, or nutrient, or secretory.
Inc Professor Is one Of the most .killfpI of
lecturers, and precise and handsome demon
sstasor nus devotion to the anatomical branch
Oh medical science amounts almost 10 a mono.
mania The patience with which he will work
sropnd ana elaborate the smallest preparation
Tor MS cabinet is spider-Iike
Connected with the mooted oue,,;,ns con-
cerning the stomach were others which II /,
unnecessary Tor me to describe; but thew made
IL Imperative that the body to be dissected
should De That OF male adult somewhat aged
Inc night arrived We were all in our dis
secnns-room apparel The body, entirely nude,
and completely covered with cloth. as i. the
custom, lay upon the table, and we i'm pa TENT
ly awaited the Professors arrival.
Inc conduct OF students in the dissectipg
room Is not, as l presume the most of your
readers Know, from the many able medical
Ha k~I
nIhed. In fact, il is lin view Of tho sad nroof.
OF our Wretched helplessnessnes and mortality
spread around) frivolous, disgusting. and MT
teriy a. variance With the scene, and the Iegit-
innate purposes Of the assemblage. Rude tests,
profanity, tne neintemperate use Of ardent spirits,
pipe smoking, etc, are practised and INDUCED
IN oy all, or nearly all. On this night We we're
IN the widest spirits and when. soon after tba
hour appointed, the Professor entered. he fcnnd
US engaged In the most animated series of
ssas Al tne spectacle OF lighted cigar stuck
between the lips Of half-dssected negro
The Professor appeared to be as ioyfai =, N.
students He RECALLED US with several apec
dotes, more pointed than polite, but calculated
70 INSPIRE the heartiest N rth. I perceived
that ne was in bis best mood. There he was.
perfect picture Of a man Of science. unbend
ing, tor the moment, from the digpit;es of his
station, % as to insure a feeling of ease to
those who had congregated to receive his in
struet,ons And ease, in the presence of the
Preceptor, let me tell you, is very servicsable
TO pupil.
I" I. is astonishing, he said, as be prepared
nlmseL ior the business Of the night, ahow
soon We get to be familiar with The relies Of
mortality Habit is everything. The 6rst time
was introduced to the disseeting room, I was
compelled to bite piece Of human Ae,b. tba,
being considered, among my companions. a
rite OF Initiation that could nst be dispensed
win. Inc sensation OF horror experienced
QescrlbAd y
would never enter such revolving place lain.
but In three months was the most reckless of
the members Of all the classes Now handle
the dead as II they were mere bales of cotton,
Disease In every shape / face without fear.
SPectscies Of the most appalling character pais
ing. And this, gentlemen" said b., rs;s;n.
his voice and approaching the table whereon
lay me subject, this faculty Of eonqueripg
our weaknesses is what mak.s m. y.InahI. a