Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-13
TRICKS OF A MEDICAL STUDENT.
ny THoNAs F. TITzsIMNoNs.

1t was in the year 1880 that my father took
the liberty of binding me to an aPothccary.
who was then transacting business in one OF the
most crowded, though certainly not the most
fashionable thoroughfares in the metropolis
[ had attained the age of twelve when enter
ed the store, and visions of hquorice feasts
and lots OF 0-dee- col-log now danced through
nv brain. Although L was not allowed to
choose the profession i would like to follow,
still was perfectly satisfied, and went to work
Ike hero. The first week Ewashed the win
dows broke the bottles and spoiled medicines;
but the sesond week. DR.. Bolus, cbief-cook,
owner. and bottle washer of the establishment,
came to the sage conclusion that was sold
and ugly enough,' to commence what he
termed the rudimentS of the profession at
once Accordingly mortar was put into my
hands. into which Bolus had placed some
..black buttons as then called them, and he
showed me how to reduce the ''black buttons
to powder.
.tNow. NV bov.' said Bolus, who was a cross
thin. long back, religious, consumptivc speci-
men OF a human abortion, S'now my boy, you
must remember that these are the beans of
qtn1- tomicu, and that they possess numerous
and excellent medicinal qualities. But as the
present chief object is for You to remember
the Latin terms, so do not forgot that these
cylindrical substances, convex on one side and
cOncavc on the other, are the beauS Of nuT rom
tca.''
ooh, yes," said L, Frightening up, and i'm
agininC myself an accomplished apothecary in
a moment, ..oh, yes, I'll remember; those are
the beans of nuts, nuts vomit yer, that's it,
ssNuts what ~ asked Bolus, sharply.
SHUTS vomit yer" answered 1, with an inno-
cent stare.
"Be careful, child, in your pronunciation, -
said he, "or may be under the painful ne
cessity of boxing your ears and thus saying,
he left me to powder the ''nuts yomlt yer,
which endeavored 10 do until late in the
evening without success, Tor the obstinate beans
seemed to be made of India rubber.
1t would only be tircSome to the reader ioE
me TO recount the numerous awkward mistakes
! committed during the first two years OF my
apprenticeship, and moreover, they would be
devoid of interest; therefore, VIC will pass
them over, and again commence our tale.
During my first two years | had rapidly pro-
eressed in all the branches OF my profession
but more especially in chemistry; and 'he
laundering apprentice, who, two years before
knew not salt from catnip, could noT cXpiaIr
1retty cIeYeriv the medicinal properties of any
medicine, from cream of tartar to the ''potassy
terrocyanuretum."
The eccentric BoIuS still owned the store
and he seemed to become more and more fret
ful and fcverish every day. lie preached anC
/ practiced; that is to say, lie gave the ADVICE
and prepared the medicine; but, not beln!
satisfied with practising, L determined to preac!
also, and accordingly, if Mr.. Bolus should hap
pen to DE called out professionally or other
wise and a patient should happen to drop IN
/ would don a grave visage, and do myself th
honor OF representing my superior Doius-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. case,' ana con
tribute half the money TO my porte monnaie
thinking my advice was worth as much as tn
medicine. was right, for the medicine wa
liauorice water, and my advIce--nonsensc--
or course if these proceedings should be seel
or heard of by Mr.. Bolus, would pay the 1or
teit of a sound drubbing. However, usnaii.
managed to have ''my patients" call when
Nyas certain Mr.. Bolus would not be IN IN
store. although now and then L managed 10 &c
into scrapes. from which | was obliged to ia;
nv ingenuity to the utmost to eXtrIcate my sen
1t was one dismal afternoon IN January, ina
Bolus left the store for the purpose OF iiiahin
some calls in the upper part of the city' ana
was confident it would be some tine ere u
returned. Accordingly, washed my lace ail
hands and combed my hair-a process whic
seldom troubled me-and taking boius eaS
chair, l threw my feet on the counter, ana iean
ing back, heartily wished patient Woui
make his or her appearance. Fortune seeme
to favor my wishes, for in a'few minutes stal
wart Irishnan entered, carrying his hand IN
sling.
ssWell, sir,' said I, as he approached, sea
do anything for you to-day ?''
NAn' are yeself the docthur 10
ssYes, SIR answered I, determined to max
q spec, sswhat is the matter, sir 20
s.Wcll, sur, have bloody sore finger here