Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-09

rally her forces quick enough after
the withdrawal of substitutes ?"
Eyes; this very thought that you
suggest did often present itself; but
| pushed it aside. 1t was not agree
able; and | would not look it calmly
in the face. l had come to like the
taste of wine, and to enjoy a social
glass of wine with my friends.
Surgery was my first love, and !
pursued its study and practice with
an interest and ardor that never abat-
ed. My opportunities were good
and made the best of them. After
acting as an assistsnt in a large hos.
pital for two years, | went to Paris
and Vienna, spending two years in
the admirably conducted hospitals OF
those cities under circumstances of
special advantage. Returning, | en-
tered at the age Of twenty-six, the
practice Of my profession. In five
years | had established a reputation
as wide as the country. Many Of my
operations, some of them almost un-
heard of in the profession, were re-
peated in our own, and transferred to
foreign, medical journals. [ had more
than the fame | coveted.
There was a period in my profess
ional life, when scarcely day passed
without some call on me for the skill
that lay in my practiced hand and
scarcely a week without some prolong-
ed and difficult or dangerous opera
ton. The strain on my nerves was
very great; the amount depending
very much on the character and con-
dition of my patients, and the degree
Of risk involved.
at was about this time, when re-
ports Of my brilliant operations were
spoken of as a perpetual surprise
that the event occurred which | am
about to relate.
Il had a friend older by several
years, with whom [ had long been in
innate. He had watched my profess
ional debut and career with an inter
est as deep as he could have felt in a
brother; and he was very proud Of
my success. One day he came to my
office, aud, after a word or two, said,
look of concern settling over his
face wish you would call in and
examine a lump on Miriam's neck"
He spoke Of his wife.
"What kind OF a lump" [ asked.
at is about the size of walnut,
and is increasing in size, think quite
rapidly"
at may be only the temporary
swelling Of a gland" | remarked, with
assumed Indifference. "Is it sore to
the touch
"Not in the least, but Miriam be.
gins to complain of a sense Of OBJ
struction, as if there were pressure
of a blood vessel. I've wished to
speak to you about it for sometime
but she would not consent"
"Only about the size of a walnut p
| inquired.
May be little larger, though not
much"
Il will call around this afternoon
and look at it," said |. Tell Mrs
Baldwin 20 expect m about foul
o'clock. You will be at home p
"Oh yes" he replied, and turned tC
90. But there were questions in his
mind that he could not leave withou
asking Doctor he said, coming
back and sitting down. "this may seen
a very small matter in your eyes, bu
am seriously troubled. Il is NJ
swelling of the gland, but tumor.-
OF that am satisfied"
"He looked searchmgIy into m,
face.
"What is the exact location ?"
asked
"On line with the ear, and jus
above the collar bone"
We were both silent for time.
GAS | said, DOCTOR" my friend re
sumed, "this thing has troubled M
from the beginning. 1t rests like
heavy weight on my spirits. 1t shaC
ows me with a strange foreboding.
am foolish perhaps" ."
"Over sensitive aoOut anything tha
touches one so dear as your WIFE"
answered with a smile. at is ma
ural. But don't give yourself neeC
less anxiety. Tumors in the neck ar
usually benignant, as we may say, an
surgical skill ensures their safe rt
m0val"
"Can they not be extirpated witt
out using the knife ?" he asked-"r'
absorbed by restored healthy actio
of the parts"
ain rare instances this has occurred
But there is no established treatmeI
on which we can rely. In my ow
practice, | have not met with sing
case where a well developed tumC
was re-absorbed by a normal actio
of the parts"
"At four o'clock this afternoon, do
, tor" Mr.. Baldwin arose.
"At four promptly" | answered.
: And he went away.
t Mrs. Baldwin received me with
/ quiet cheerfulness of manner, sayir
"my husband is apt to worry hinse
, about little things as you are aware
s "Her composure was only assume
> [ felt that as her hand lay in mine.-
t Nv first diagnosis was not satisfa
e tory, and ! found great difficulty
e concealing the doubts that trouble
i me. The swelling was clearly OF
lined, but not SO sharply protubera
: as | had been led to suppose by t
likeness to a walnut which my friel
f had suggested. | feared, from j
: shape and presentation at the surfa
V and also from the fact that the patie
e complained of sense OF pressure
f. the vessels of the neck, that the
NOR was deep seated, and much larg
!. than nv friend had suspected. b