Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-05-05
The Surgeons Story.

L was in hospital as assistant for some
months, said a surgeon, in thoughtful! tone,
and assisted in taking off limbs, aud dress
ing all sorts of wounds; bat the hardest
thing ever did was to take my thumb of
mau's leg
All! we asked, how was that?'
III was young man who had a severe
wound 10 the thigh the sugeon said. -
me ball passed completely through, ard
amputaton was necessary. The limb was
cut close up to the body, the arteries taken
up, and he seemed to be doing well Sub.
sequenily one Of the small arteries slouob.
ed off. An iGcisiOn was made, and il was
| again taken IN. 1T is well il was mot tho
main artery said the surgeon as he per-
formed the operation; he might have blod
to death before we could have taken it up
But Charley got on finely, and was ia
forite with US all.
Il was passing through the ward one
night. about midnight, when suddenly as
was passing Cbarley's bed be spoke to me:
Doctor, my leg is bleeding again. l
threw back the bed clothes, and the blood
spirited IN the air. The main artery had
slOughed off.
Fortunately knew what to do, and in
an instant pressed my thumb on the place
aud stopped the bleeding. 1t was so close
to the body that there was barely room for
my thumb, but | succeeded in keeping il
there and arcusing one of the cOnvalescents,
sent him Tor the surgeon, who came n on
the run. i am so thankful DOCTOR said
he, as he saw me, that you were up and
knew what to do, for he must have bled to
death before could have got here.'
But on examination Of the case he look
ed exceedingly serious. and sent out for
other surgeons. All camo who were with.
IN reach, and consultation was held over
the poor fellow. One conclusion was reach
ed Ly all. There was n place 20 work ez
cept the spot where my thumb was placed;
they could not work under my thumb, and
if moved it he would bleed to death before
the artery could be taken up. There was
no way to save his life.
Poor Charley! He was very calm when
they told him, and requested that bis
brother, who was in the same hospital,
might be called up. lie came and sat
down by the bedside and for three hours
stood, and by the PRESSURE of my thumb
KEEP: up the life of Charley, while the
brothers had their last conversation on
earth. 1t was a strange place for me to
be IN, to feel that held the life Of fell wv
mortal in my hands, as it were, and strang-
or yet, to feel that en- act of mine must
cause the life to depart. Loving the Door
fellow as l did, it was hard thought; but
there was no alternative.
The last words were spoken Charley
had arranged all his business affairs, and
sent tender messages to absent ones. who
little dreamed how near the loved one
stood to the grave. The tears filed nv
eyes more than once as listened to these
parting words. All was said, aud be turn
ed to me: Now, doctor, gueesyou had
better take off your thumb On, Charley!
how can ~ said. But it must be, YOU
Know be replied, cLee.fully-'I thank
you very much for your kindness, and
now, goodbye"
lie turned away his head, raised nv
thumb, once more the life current cushed
forth; and in three minutes poor Charlej
was dead