The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-02-04
VOL. XV.---NO %.

him on his being out SO late, but, being
cautioned by his companion, they did
not attempt to awake him, but watch
ed his movements. On being invited
he took glass of ale, and then said he
only would have time to 60 home and
get his dinner before the afternoon lee
ture hour. He walked with his friend
to our door, and was indignant to find
it locked His roommate IA cousin
admitted him and awakened myself
and wife. He asked if dinner was
ready, and seemed astonis!ied that it
was not, then he said that he would get
drink of water and be off, for old ID.
lone of the faculty. would be mad if he
was late" 1 told him he had plenty of
time, and he need not be in a hurry.
He then walked into the kitchen, drank
a tumbler of water, and, looking up to
the clock, although it was totally dark,
remarked the time and started for the
front door. / then told him / was not
feeling well, was pretty blue, and wish
ed he would sit down and play euchre
with US. This seemed to please him,
and he took off his overcoat and said
he would as lief play until old ID. y
was through lecturing, as ogo.
His cousin sat down at the table with
us, aud we played three-handed (eut
throat) euchre." He dealt the cards in
his turn correctly, End "played accord
ing to Hoyle" In one hand, spades
were trumps. He held the jack of
Clubs. Clubs being led, he first threw
down the jack, then quickly picked it
up, saying, 81 forgot the lett b)wer."
1t is somewhat humiliating to record
that, notwithstanding our tricks and
devices, he beat us in the game.
On its conclusion, he got up hastily
and insisted on going to. the college.
We only prevented him this time by
throwing water in his face-the only
method, by the way, in which we could
awake him without violence. Pungent
odors, ammonia, camphor, ETC., he
seemed to disregard, or merely pushed
away he object.
On regaining gconsciousness lie always
appeared like one stunned or suffering
from q severe shcck. The influence
upon the pulse or nervous system was
also SO severe that We never awakened
him at these times if we could avoid it,
Whenever out of health, rs from tri-
fling attacks of Indigestion, or after
watching with the sick, or fatigue, he
would be sure to be up and doing some
thing notable in the esomnambulic state.
One of the most remarkable of his
exploits occurred several years after the
incident Just given. L think it was in
1860 or 81. He gave me the particulars
evidence from others.
nary that they almost caused him to
determine never to practice medicine
again.
In the rounds of his practice he had Il
patient about whom he was very anX-
ious. 1t was I'm the coolest winter wea-
ther, and the residence of the patient
was about two miles distant. Visiting
him early in the evening, he found him
in state so unsatisfactory that he in |
formed the family that if lie did not /
find him better the next visit, he should |
change the medicine entirely. On ris- !
ing, the next morning, he went to the |
barn to put his horse to cutter for an
early start. He was little puzzled at /
finding things somewhat misplaced,
but supposed some person had been i'm |
the stable in search of a missing article. /
On visiting the patient he was gratified |
to find marked improvement. He |
inquired when the improvement COM
and was answered, "lmmedi- /
ately after he had taken the powder I
which was given in the night" The
truth flashed up at once, but conceal |
ing his emotion he inquired, with as
careless an air as he could assume,
about what time was it when L was
here?" They replied, Between two
and three o'clock" This proved to be
The ease, as he was afterward told by
.he family where he boarded. He had
,een giving the patient some fluid
which he ordered discontinued
md then put up several powders, such
Is he had concluded upon the night
previous, combining them as usual, and
the fluid one himself.
The alarm of my poor friend art the
possible consequences of a similar act
n the future, may well be conceived.