Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-10
From the Home Journal
AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY.
FROM THE HUNGARIAN

Doctor n, one of the most eminent
surgeons of Pesth, was summoned at day
break, one morning, to see person who
pressingly sought to be admitted to him.
While waiting in the ante-chamber, the min
lister desired the servant to add that every mo-
ments delay was dangerous, as he stood in
need of instant help.
The surgeon, hastily throwing off his night
robe, gave orders for him to be shown up at
once
1t was an entire stranger, but one whose
dress and manner proclaimed him man be-
longing to the best class of society. His pal
lid cheeks spoke of some deep inward bodily
and mental pain, and his right hand rested in
a silken sling. Though he succeeded per-
fectly in controlling the expression of his
countenance, a low murmur of pain, in spite
of all his efforts, broke forth repeatedly from
his lips.
''Have 1 the honor of addressing Doctor
NJ" he asked, in weak, almost faint
ing voice, as he approached the surgeon.
eyes, sir"
''Pardon the question. 1 do not live in
Pesth; came from the country, and know
you by reputation only. l regret not to be
able to make your acquaintance under hap
pier circumstances"
The surgeon, seeing that his visitor could
on his dvan.
81 am weary; for a whole week have not
closed my eyes. l have been having pain
in my right hand, to which l can give no
name. In the beginning | felt only slight
pang, but in a short time it commenced to
burn with constantly increasing violence,
growing to be torture beyond the reach of
the slightest alienation. l have tried every
Obtainable remedy, far and near, but nothing
relieves me-there remains the same piercing,
cutting, deadly pain. Finally, | could bear
no more; l got in a carriage and fastened
here to you, that you might free me from my
torment by an operation-the knife or iron
for can support it no longer"
The surgeon here endeav ored to encour-
age him, saying his suffering might be over
come by milder means than the use of the
knife.
''No, doctor; neither plaster mol yet any
palliative can relieve it; what | need is the
knife. For that alone did | come here"
Doctor N asked to be permitted to
look at his hand; on which the sufferer, set
ting his teeth hard, held it forth. The sur
geon, using the greatest precaution, began to
loosen the bandage.
''Let me entreat you, in advance, doctor,
not to be overcome by anything you will see.
My pain is SO strange, so extraordinary, that
1t Will certainly take you unawares. Hesitate
at nothing, l pray you"
The surgeon assured the stranger that he
was accustomed to everything, in his profess
sion, and pledged himself to hesitate at moth
ing.
Nevertheless, when the hand appeared, he
shrank back involuntarily letting it fall heav-
lily. The hand was apparently as sound,
healthy-looking and perfect as any other
not a SDOt was to he seen unOn IT,
A sharp cry from the sufferer, as he lifted
the dropped hand with his left proved that
he had come in no jest, but that he suffered
cruelty.
"Where does it pain you?''
'Here, DOCTOR, said the stranger, pointing
to place on the upper surface of his hand,
where two veins parted from each other in
faint blue lines. The surgeon marked him
shudder as he touched the spot with his fin
ger.
"You feel it paining you here?'
"Frightfully."
"And you suffer from the pressure when
touch the place with my fnger?"
The stranger was not in condition to an
swer. Tears started to his eyes, so dreadful
was the suffering.
"Wonderful! l distinguish nothing here.
"And yet l experience there so ineXpressi-
bic pain that could dash my head against
the wall"
The surgeon took microscope, examined
the place, and shook his head.
'The skin is clear and healthy; the blooC
courses clearly through the veins; there is ne
Inflammation, no apparent hurt The place
is precisely in its natural state"
~ think it is somewhat redder."
'Where?"
The stranger took pencil from his pocket
6oolr nd dro1u limo arOuud eDo+ tI,o 80.
of half kreuzer.
"Here."
The surgeon carefully looked at this spot
and began to think that his patient was in
sane.
''Remain here" he said 81 may be able t.
assist you in few days"
81 cannot wait. DO you think, sir, thai
YOU have mailman before you? That is {
misfortune that you will not have to cure me
The place 1 have indicated causes me such
agony that, 1 repeat it. l have alone CONT
here to have it cut out"
(Which, however, will not do ~ said the
surgeon.
"And why not?"
because your hand is perfectly sound; 81
far as / can see, there is no more the matte
with it than there is with my own hand"
"You are, therefore, ready to decide that
am mad-you cannot believe me jesting," re
burned the stranger, taking note for thous
and guldens out of his pocket-book and laying
ii on the table. "There, see that this is NJ
child's play, and that the service which asl
at your hands is of the highest necessity AM
Importance to me. / entreat you, cut thi
spot from out my hand"
'And say to you, sir, that all the wealtl
in the world would not induce me to lool
upon "A sound member as diseased, or to max
the slightest incision in such one. To do
would be to do what my surgical knowledge
condemns--it would put my reputation t
shame-in word my duty forbids it TIL
whole world would maintain that you were
lunatic; but of me they would say either tina
had been so unprncipled as to profit b
your mania, or that was too ignorant to per
ceive the error into which you had led me-"
$50 be it. AT least you can accord me thi