Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-05-02

said, "Yes, by all means send for n
barber, and also a fresh fly blister, four
inches by nine"
looked into the face Of Dr. Solly
with surprise. 1t was perfectly grave
and earnest. limited to him my doubt
of the good that mode of treatment
would do, but he spoke confidently of
the result, and said that it would not
only cure the disease, but, he believed,
take away the predisposition thereto,
with which Mr.. Harris was affected in
a 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 forehead to oc-
ciput.
90 Let it remain on for two hours, and
then make use of the ordinary dress
ing" said DR.. Solly. "If he should
not recover during the acton of the
blister, don't feel uneasy. Sensibility
will be restored soon after"
I did not call again, but heard from
DR.. Solly the result.
After we left, the friends stood any
iously around the bedside upon which
the sick man lay; but though the bis
ter began to draw, no signs of return
ing consciousness showed themselves
further than an occasional low moan, or
an uneasy tossing of the arms. For
full two hours the burning plaster
parched the tender skin of Mr.. Harris
shorn head, and was then removed. 1t
had done good service. Dressings were
then applied; repeated and repeated
again, but still the sick man lay in a
deep stupor.
" 1t has done no good. Hadn't we
better 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.
"What's the matter?" he at length
said. At the same time feeling a
strange sensation about his head, he
placed his hand rather heavily thereon.
Heavens and earth p He was now
fully in his senses. "Heavens and
earth What ails my head ?"
" For mercy's sake, keep quiet" SAID
his wife, the glad tears gushing over
There, there, nowr' And she spoke
soothingly. 8. Don't say word, but
lie very still"
"But my head! What's the matter
with my head? 1t feels as if scalGed.
Where's my hair? Heavens and earth,
Sarah, don't understand this! What S
my arm tied in this way for?''
''Bo quiet, my dear husband and
l IL explain it all. Oh, be very quiet.
Your Life depends upon it,
Mr.. Harris sank lack 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 temple, and from nape to forehead
els it blister? ?'' he at length asked
" Yes, dear. You have been very i'll.
We feared for your hfe," said Mrs.
Harris, affectionately. "There have
been two physicians in attendance.
Harris closedh his eyes again. His lips
moved. Those nearest were not much
edited by the whispered words that is
sued therefrom, They would have
sounded very strangely to ears polite
and refined. After this he lay for some
time quiet.
Threatened with apoplexy, I sup
pose?" he then said interrogatively.
Yes, DEAR" replied his wife. 81
found you lying insensible on the floor,
on happening to come into your room.
1t was most providential that | discov-
cred you as l did, oryou would certain
ly have died"
Harris shut his eyes and muttcred
/ Will Of
but its 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 heaven s
name did You permit the doctors to
butcher me in this way? I am laid up
for week or two, aud all for nothing. u
" 1t was to save your life, dear
"Save-"
"Hush There, do for heavens sake
be quiet; everything depends upon it. u
With a gesture of impatience, Mr..
Harris shut his eyes, teeth and hands,
aud lay perfectly still for some minutes.
Then he turned Lis face to the wall,
mnttering in a low, petulant voice,
"Too bad Too bad Too bad I"
| had not orred in my first and my
last impression of Harris disease,
neither had Dr.. Solly, although he used
a very extraordinary mode of treatment.
The facts of the case are these:
Harris had weakness. He could
not taste wine or strong drink without
being tempted into excess. Both him
self and friends were mortified anC
grievcd at this; and they, by admoni
ton, and he by good resolutions, trieC
to bring about a reform. But to SCI
was to taste to taste was to fall. Al
last his friends urged him to shut him
self up at home for a certain time, ant
see if total abstinence would not. Civ,
him strength. He got on pretty well
for few days, particularly so as his
coachman kept wcll-filled bottle fol
him i'll the carriage-house, to which Et
not unfrequently resorted; but II toe
ardent devotion to this identical bottl,
brought on the supposed apoplexy.
DIR. Solly was right III his mode o
treating the disease, after all, and die
not err in supposing that it would reacl
the predisposition. The cure was effect
uaI. Harris kept quiet on the subject
and bore his shaved head on his shoul
dors with as much philosophy as h
could muster. \ wig, after the sore
made by the blisters had disappeared
concealed the barber's work until hi
own hair grew again. He never ven
tured upon wine or brandy, for fear 0
apoplexy.
When the truth leaked out, as sllcl
! thinUg olxyax.c will tho friends of Han