The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-09-27

came, sir" ono lady said, taking his pro.
scripiIOn, "but was not prepared for such
treatment. What am to do with this?'
Anything you Iiko," tho surgeon roughly
answered. Put il on tho fro ii you please" "
Taking him at his word, the lady put
her fee on the table, and the prescription
on the FIRE; and, making her bow, left the
room. Aberneihv followed her into the
hall, apologizing, and begging her 10 take
back the fee or let him write another pre-
scrption but the lady would not yield
her vantage ground.
OF operations Abernethy had most
uu.surgeon.like horror-''likc Cheselden
and Hunter, regarding them as the re-
proach o! the profession"
al hope, sir, it will not be long" said
a poor woman, suffering under the knife.
"No, indeed" earnestly answered Alb.
ernethy, "that would be too horrible"
This humanity, on pon; on which
surgeons are popularity regarded as being
devoid OF feeling, is very general in the
profession. William Cooper (Sir Astley's
unclc) was, like Abernethy, u most ten.
der-hearted man. lie was about TO am
putate a mans leg,in the hospital theatre,
when the poor fellow, terrified at The dis
play Of instruments and apparatus, sud.
denly Jumped off the table, and hobbled
away. The students burst out laughing,
and the surgeon, much pleased at being
excused from the performance OF pain
lnl duty exclaimed, "l'm glad he's goue!"
The treatment which one poor fellow
received from Abernelhv, may, at first,
seem 10 initiate against our high estimate
of the surgeons humanity, and dislike Of
iutlicling pain. DR.. -, an eminent
physician, still living and conrerring lus-
ture on his profession, sent . favoiilc man
servant with brief noto running:
"Dear Abernethy-will you do me the
kindness to put seton on this poor fcl.
lows neck Yours sincerely, -"
The man, who was accustomed and en-
couraged 10 indulge in considerable free
dom Of speech with his masters friends,
not only delivered the note to Abernethy,
but added,in an explanatory and confiIing
tone
You sec, sir, don't get better, and as
master thinks ought to have n seton in
my neck. | should be thankful il you'd
put it in for me-"
1t is not at all improbable that Aber-
nethy resented the edirections Of master and
man. Anyhow he inquired into the in
valid's case, and then taking out his
needles, did as he was requested. The
operation was attended with a little pain,
and the man howled, as only coward
can howl, under the temporary incon-
yenicnce. ''
ooh! Lor' bless you! Oh. have
mercy on me Yarrra-yarrra-yarrr
Oh, doctor--doctor--you'll kill me -
In another minute the surgeons work
was accomplished, and the acute pain
having passed away, the man recovered
his seli-possession and impudence.
ooh, well, | do hope, now that il's done,
it'll do me good. | do hope that"
"Butit won't DO you bit Of goo :"
"What, sir. no good ?" cried the fellow.
mo more good" replied Aberuelhy,
ethan il had spat upon it,"
''Then, sir, why--oh, yarrr here's
the pain again; why did you do it ."
"Coniound yoI, mani" answered the
surgeon, testify. "Why did | do it .
Why, didn't you ask ne TO pu: seton IN
your neck 2"
OF course the surgical treatment en-
ployed by Abernethy in this case was the
right one, but he was so nettled with the
fellows impudence and unmanly lament
ations. that he could not forbear playing
off upon him barbarous jest.
Ii Tor this outbreak OF vindictive humor
the reader is inclined to call Abernelhy a
savage, let his gin OF ESQ to the widow
lady,to pay for her sick chid's carriage ex
ercIse, be remembered. Apropros of ESQ,
Doctor Wilson, OF Bath, sent present OF
that sum 10 an indi gent clergy against
whom he had come in the course Of prac
tice. The gentleman who had engaged
10 convey the gift to the unfortunate min
lister. said ...
"We!l, III take the money to him TO-
morrow"
"Oh, my dear SIR" said the doctor,
"lake it TO him tonight. Only think of
the Importance TO sick man of one good
nights rest %