The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-07

tof the rooms of the Hospital Extraordinary as
it may SEEM we are told this did not prove 'satis-
"factory to either party" With men SO very hard
to please it was difficult to deal, and their friends
seeing that they could never beat each other into
more amcabe relations arranged for them to go
out and shoot at one another the next morning.
This process was gone through in due form, and
strange to relate, these impractcable doctors were
no more affectionate afterwards than before. Time
only served to strengthen their mutual enmity,
which, however did not display itself in any fur
Their violence until few weeks ago. A circum-
stance then occurred which aggravated them be-
yond endurance. The cause of quarrel was, in
truth, grave one, and well calculated to have set
even Saints by the ears. 1t was an aneurism which
rendered necessary the taking up of the sub-cavan
artery. No sentimental difference about pair Of
bright eyes, nor any stupid misunderstanding over
their claret would probably have reused to frenzy
the hate which lay hidden in the hearts of these
rivals. 1t was an aneurism supplied from the
sub-clavian artery that brought about the trouble,
and what more than the knowledge of this facti is
required for the justification of the combatants.
But let US proceed with our narration. The I'M
happy man, with the aforesaid aneurism, was
brought to the Hospital, where an operation was
determined on. He was not under the charge O.
either of urbellicose practitioners The operation
being a serious and most dangerous one, and the
chief surgeon of the institution being absent it had
been delayed from day to day until week elapsed.
Now, DR.. chopin of course desired to keep his
hand in, and was very anxious to have
cut at this particular aneurism. The
patients wife heard of the Doctors viii ngness to
make the experiment on her afflicted spouse, and
called to see him about the matter To her great
delight doubtless, this good Samaritan not only
agreed to take the husband to his own infirmary,
and keep him free of charge until the result of the
operation was known, which would in all likei-
hood, have been about two minutes and half, but
he, moreover offered to pay $50 for the privilege of
exercising his skill upon the abnormal artery. Here
was temptation irresistible to man or woman,
and accordingly the twain posted down to the
Hospital gate intending to direct their steps to the
intirmary in question. But they had calculated
without their host, for DR.. FOSTER, upon an init
nation of the contemplated removal, had given
orders to detain the interesting aneurism Nor
did he in this abuse his authority, for it is claimed
says The Delta, that all who enter the Charity
Hospital, without paying, place themselves under
control of the institution, and 'the doctors can re-
"tain them until cured or dead" Paupers, it ap-
pears, are not to be discharged when convaescent.
Perhaps the prescriptions in their cases are so po
tent as to kill or cure at once. However this may
be, the poor patient was still sitting in the gate
10 - l.:
drove up. He was furious at the detention of his
subject and, as an officer of the Hospital, he i'm
mediately wrote his discharge himself and then
waited to answer any one who might question him.
He was not left long to enjoy his triumph, for out
came the indomitable FOSTER, armed as it after
wards appeared, with a five-barrelled revolver
chopin, as became his name and his profession,
carried a bowie-knie, in addition to two small
pistols. care you looking at me, sir?'' says
chopin. eyes, sir, l am looking at you," re-
plies FOSTER. "And what do you think of me?''
rejoins the former. This polite interrogatory the
latter answered by expressing an opinion so unfa-
vorable to chopin, and couched in such ferocious
and wicked language that we cannot quote it, any
more than the reviled Doctor could bear it. ST.
and in the interchange of shots that followed Dr.
FOSTER being little quicker cooler than his ad-
versary, inflicted two ugly wounds upon him, which
may yet prov fatal. Instead of taking up arteries,
and giving $50 and board gratis for the desirable
privilege, DR.. chopin had to submit that day TO
have his own ''exterior jugular vein' tied up, and
ball hunted up somewhere in the ''iliac REGION"
1t is pleasant 10 know that the ''man afflicted with
''the aneursm retreated down the street, when the
afray began, and, as far as we can discover, did
not find his way again into The Charity Hospital,
nor did he pursue his journey towards the private
infrmary. Such is the story of this difficulty
which professional etiquette originated, and pro-
tessonal rivalry precipitatcd tot bloody ending
The battle may almost be said to have been fought
in the cause Of science. For no such piiful prizes
as gain or glory did the combatants contend, but
they were animated solely by the noble desire to
attain through the sub-clayian artery higher
rank and reputation in the medical fraternity