Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-23
, E@sEn x0
NO. l73.
FRENCH PHYSICIANS.

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In recently-published novel, entitled
Love in the Nineteenth Century y and
written by Miss Harriet w. Preston. is
the following defense of the celebrated
French physicians against the charge of
inhumanity and insensibility. The heroine
tells the tale as friend told it to her.
"And he fell into "reminiscences of his hap
py life In Paris as medical student Of
mature mind and genuine enthusiasm.
They had told him in England that he
would find the acknowledged kings of ply
slological and medical science, the great
French specialists, mere intellectual ma
chnes, eager to increase their knowledge
at any cost of animal anguish, dealing with
eases only, not with patients, careless of
the sacred humanities of their professions. \
And found he went on kindling, that
lnsular dullness and self-complacency had
never compassed more stupid misconcep-
ton. The humanity of these great French
Swans is of somewhat tender type for
John Bull to appreciate. Potla tout! /
came by Gods grace to- know some of
them well, and found that their untiring
researches into the mysteries of human
lie and suffering has made them, almost
to man. humble, delicate, infinitely mer-
ciiul. The claims on their thought and
attention of the sufferer, or the learner.
especially if a stranger, never once saw
| sighted, or otherwise than most reyerent.
| ly and carefully considered.
How well remember he continued.
going one Sunday morning, an autumn
day like this, with a friend to one Of the
hospitals. 1t was the vacation term at the
medical school, and there were but few
students or visitors about. As we passed,
into the hall we heard groans, evidently
of child in great pain. The door lead
ing to the sick room was ajar, and as we
approached we heard the voice of man.
talking earnestly with the little sufferer.
There was something very affecting in the
imploring tones of the child's voice and
the tender and sympathizing replies ofthe
physician, and it seemed to us no breach
of etiquette to witness unseen through the
crack of the half-open door the scene that
was passing within. On narrow pallet
near the window lay fine boy, 9 or 10
years old, dying of cancer, developing it.
self between the eyes and behind the nose.
IL had not yet showed itself externally.
but had destroyed the sight, and was at.s
tended by excruciating suffering. : BY his
side sat a stately, white haired man, hold
ing with one hand the two of the little pa
tient, while with the other he caressingly
smoothed his hair. The child told the
story of his pain: "Ah, je SQUIRE tant, - 10
which the old man listened patiently, prom
ising to devise some relief. Then he rose
to go, but first bent over the boy, and with
tears dropping from his eyes kissed his
forehead lovingly as mother The white
haired man was the world-renowned Nela-
ton-Nelaton, lately summoned to attend
the fallen Emperor. el.ia s,s sca.a so4
Another reminiscence of another Sum
day in Paris. saw brought into the hos.
pital young working girl. whose leg had
been crushed by heavily loaded omnibus,
and so badly as to require instant amputa-
tlon. The surgeon on duty was the famous
NJ. Richard. We were asked to assist that
time. | gave the anasthetic, aud re.
member he charged me to keep the ''poor
child" as he called her, unconscious not
only during the operation, but until every
trace of it had been removed. He inter-
cepted laundering attendant. who would
have brought the tray of instruments into
sight before she slept, and anything equal
to his patient soothing Of her pain and ter
ror, the delicate care which banished all
that was unnecessarily agitating from
the scene. the deliberate and exquisite
pity which softened his every look and
movement, ! hardly hope to see again.
That also was man.
And if you come 10 types of manhood"
continued the doctor, by this time with
moistening eyes, "where, save in this
same tempest-tossed and beaten France.
will you look for the finest, at least in our,
day? Simple. loyal servants of science.s of
art--nay, and OF faith also. some of them
they preserve, even in their warfare, an
urbanity which the rest of MS never attain