The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-11-05
Creating a Case Actively.

There ensues a description of "Treat-
ing Case Actively" which made the
collector of this omnium gatherum
shake his sides, at the same time that
1t struck him as one of most effective
temperance stories he had met for many
a long day. The tale is told by ply
sician who had been called in great
haste to attend a"gentleman of respecta-
bllty." who had been discovered in his
room lying senseless on the floor.
He found his "patient" in great dis
tress of mind.
"What is the matter with Mr.. HIP"
asked the doctor
VI am afraid it is apoplexy," said his
wife; 81 found him lying upon the
floor as If he had suddenly fallen from
his chair. His face is purple, and he
brcathes with great difficulty.
The doctor examined the "patient,"
and finds this report correct, although
he sees no clearer indications of any
actual or approaching congestion of the
brain.
"Hadn't he better be bled, doctor ?"
asked the anxious wife.
~ don't know that it is necessary :" re.
piled the doctor "I think five let him
alone it will pass off in the course of
few hours"
"a few hours he may die in half an
hour !" said the wife.
81 don't think the case is so dangerous,
madam" remarked the doctor.
"ApopleXy not dangerous !" said she.
The doctor drlicately limited that he
might possibly have been drinking too
much brandy.
mo, DOCTOR" said she "thc disease is
more deeply seated than that; surely l
should know. He had better be bled.
He had better be bled. Won't you
hleed him doctor?"
Thus urged the doctor took from him
about eight ounces Of blood, but still he
lay insensiblc.
"Something else must be DONE" urged
his wife; 81 ii he isn't relieved very soon,
he must die!"
The doctor was not the regular ply
sician, and felt his position to be diff.
cult one; he was therefore firm in his
resolution not to do any thing more for
the patient until the family doctor
came.
AT length he arrived, and the two
doctors conversed aside for few mo.
ments, and then proceeded to the bed.
side Of the patient.
There were still no signs Of approach
ing consciousness.
Don't you think his head ought to
be shaved and bistered ?" asked the
wife, anxiously.
"Yes, by all MEANS" said the doctor.
"Send for the barber and blister at
once"
The barber came; the head was shaved
and blister applied to the poor mans
skin; but finally the pain ceased, ant
he slept. When he awoke, his first ex
clamation was
"What'S the matter with my head
my hair? And what's my arm tied w
for in this way ?"
His wife told him to be quiet, and he
sunk back on his pillow with suller
groan. Presently, however, he said to
his wife
"Sarah, why in the name Of goodness
did you let the doctors butcher me in
this way"
at was to save your life, dear"
"Save the d-l!
"Hush, dear, every thing depends up
on your being quiet"
He only moaned, "Too bad TOO
!, bad ~
Now the facts of the case were, tina
he couldn't take wine nor strong drinl
without being tempted into excess. II
see was to tdste--to taste was to JaU. A
last his friends urged him to shut him
self up at home for certain time, and
see If total abstinence would not give
him strength.
He got on very we'll for time-par
ticularly as his coachman kept well
filled bottle for him in the carriage
house, to which he not unfrequently
resorted; but too ardent devotion t.
the bottle brought on the supposed ap
oplexy. The cure was effectual.
The patient kept quiet on the subject
and bore his shaved head upon hi
shoulders with as much philosophy n
he could muster. A wig, after the sore
had disappeared that had been made b.
| Al.
uutil his own hair had grown again. II
never ventured upon wine or brand.
: afterward, for fear OF apoplexy.
, When the truth leaked out-as al
such things will-his friends had man.
hearty laugh, but they wisely con
cealed from the object Of their merri
inent the fact that they knew any thin
!, more than appeared of the cause Of hi
! supposed illness.