The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-12-06

shaved and blistered ?" asked the wife
anxiously.
Doctor Solly thought moment, and
then said, Yes, by all means Send for
a barber and also fresh fly blister, four
inches by nine
looked into the face of DR.. solly with
surprise. II was perfectly grave and ear
nest. limited to him my doubt of the
good that the mode of treatment would do;
but he spoke confidently of the result, and
said that it would not only cure the dis
ease, but, he believed, take away the pre-
disposition thereto, with which Mr.. Harris
was affected in high degree.
The head of Mr.. Harris was shaved and
DR.. Solly applied the blister with his own
hands, and which completely covered the
scalp from the forehead to occiput.
Let it remain on for two hours. and
then make use Of the ordinary dressing"
said DIR. Solly. " If he should not recover
during the action of the blister, don't feel
uneasy. Sensibility will be restored soon
after"
did not call again, but heard from DIR.
Solly the result.
After We left, the friends stood anx.
iously around the bedside upon which the
sick man lay bnt though the blister be.
gan to draw, no signs of returning con-
sciousness showed themselves further than
an occasional low moan, or an uneasy toss
ing of the arms. For full two hours the
burning plaster parched the tender skin of
Mr. Harris shon head, and was then re-
moved. 1t had done good service. Dress
ings were then applied repeated and re-
peated again, but still the sick man lay in
a deep stupor
" 1t has done no good. Hadn't we bet
ter send for the doctor ?" suggested the
wife.
just then the eyes of Harris opened,
and he looked with half stupid surprise
from face to face of the anxious group that
surrounded the bed.
Whats the matter?" he at length said.
At the same time feeling strange sensa-
ton about his head, he placed his hand
rather heavily thereon. "Heayens and
earth y He was now fully in his senses.
Heavens and earth what ails my head ?"
For mercys sake keep quiet, said his
wife, the glad tears gushing over face.
You have been very i'll. There, there,
now" And she spoke soothingly. "Do
not say word, but lie very still"
"But my head What's the matter
with my head? 1t feels as if scalded.
Where's my hair? Heavens and earth,
Sarah, | don't understand this What's
my arm tied in this way for?"
g BE quiet my dear husband and I'll
explain it all. Oh, be very quiet. Your
life depends upon it"
Mr.. Harris sank back upon his pillow,
from which he had risen, and closed his
eyes to think. He put his hand to his
head, and felt it tenderly from temple to
tsmple, and from nape to forhead.
" Is it blister ?' he at length asked.
Yes, dear. You have been very III.
We feared for your life," said Mrs. Har.
ris, affectionately. "There have been
two physicians in attendance
Harris closed his eyes again. His lips
moved. Those nearest were not much
edited by the whispered words that issued
therefrom. They would have sounded very
strangely to ears polite and refined. AZ
ter this he lay for some time quiet.
Threatened with apoplexy, I Tsupposeyp
he then said interrogatively.
"Yes dear" replied his wife. al found
you lying insensible on the floor, on hap
pening to come into your room. II was
most providential that discovered you as
did, or you would certainly have died"
Harris shut his eyes and muttered some
thing, with an air of impatience, but It's
meaning was not understood.
Finding him out of danger, friends and
relatives retired, and the sick man was left |
alone with his family.
Sarah, he said, "why In heavens
name did you permit the doctors to butcher
me in this way2 | am laid up for week
or two, and all for nothing"
1t was to save your life, dear"
"Saye--h
Hush There, do for heavens sake
be quiet; everything depends upon it,"
With o gesture of impatience, Mr.. Har.
ris shut his eyes, teeth, and hands, and lay
perfectly still for some minutes. Then he
turned his face to the wall, muttering in
low, petulant voice, 'Too bad too bad |
too bad |"
had not erred In my first and my last
impression of Harris disease, neither had
DIR, Solly, although he ueod very extra
ordinary mode Of treatment. The facts Of
the case are these:
Harris had weakness. He could not
taste wine nor strong drink without being
tempted into excess. Both himself and
friends were mortified and grieved at this;