South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-11
Bob hitlow'S First Patient.

BOD WnltloW S fIrSt Patient.
How, as general thing, young doc
tors and lawyers get their first patients
and clients is one of the unsolvcd mvs-
teries.
i know how it was in Bob Whitlow's
case.
Bob, after graduating with honor Mt n
first class medical college, went out Vest
and, picking out populous and sickly
Geighborhood, pitched his professional
tent, hung out his shingle,. and bodily,
offered himself as healer Of the people
His moderate patrimony was barely
sufficient to meet the expenses of his
collegiate and medical course, leaving
his sole dependence for the future on
success in the walk of life which he had
chosen.
A few months convinced him that the
immediate prospect was not very PROM
ising. DIR. Chincough had reigned there
for so many years with undisputed sway,
that the offer of II young and inexperi-
enced practitioner to compete with him
was generally looked upon as piece of
impertinence.
True, the neighboring graveyard dis
closed mortality out of all proportion
to the population; but nobody attribu.
ted ii to "Old CHM" as some of the less
respectful called him. / have already
said it was sic<ly region, and Old Chin,
had happy lnac<, moreover, when his
patients died, of laying the blame on
Providence, and when they didn't Of as
cribing to himself the glory.
AS for my friend, Bob Whitlow, Old
Chin. simply ignored his existence.
Things began to look blue for Bob
His board bill fell behind, his office rent
got into arrears, and unless affairs took
a speedy turn, an unpleasant crisis must
be reached soon.
One day well dressed young travel
er fell sick at the village inn. The land
lord-with whom Bob boarded
fam have gotten the latter into the case
for the stranger had the appearance of n
man able to pay, and, if Bob got n good
fee, the prospect of his board bill being
settled would he decidedly improved.
Accordingly, when the sick gentle
man spoke of calling n physician. the
landlord would have recommended Bob
on the spot; but the stranger, going on
TO say that he wished to consult a phy-
stefan of age and experience. his land.
lord had no alternative but to name DIR.
Chincough.
Call him in Immediately" said the
sick man.
Old Chin, found the stranger danger
ously ill. lie invariably found his pa.
tients so. Catch him undertaking the
difficulty Of case. lie gave assurance
of his ability, however, TO bring the gen.
tleman round in time, though the pro-
cess might be slower than could be de-
sired
Strong medicines and plenty Of it was
old Chin's. rule Of faith and practice
and on it he set TO work in the present
case.
The result was singularly unsuccess.
full Every symptom combated seemed
to be aggravated by the remedy where.
with it was thought TO allay it, whilst
the patient was constantly complaining
OF fresh pains in parts of his body not
assaulted before.
Old Chin, was at his wits end. he had
never, in his whole professional life.
met with n case so obstinate.
-'Nhh"hiio blt Ddtitub grew fapiNiE
worse, and at last to all appearance Law
at deaths door.
Old Chin, gave it up. His skill was
fairly bafIled.
IL feel it my duty to warn YOU" he
said, addressing the sinking patient.
chat your case is beyond the reach of
medical aid. If you have any worldly
matters TO attend TO there is no time 20
be lost"
"ls-there-no other-physician in
the placer feebly gasped the stranger.
Old Chin. shook his head.
BEG pardon" the landlord ventured
to hint: there's DIR. Whitlow."
oh, / didn't think Of him" said Old
Chin, with n sniff.
Send for him" said the stranger.
yes, send for him." said Old Chin.
with evident disgust.
A messenger was dispatched. and
Bob lost no time in obeying the sum.
mons.
Old Chin, with supercilious air. gave
Bob a brief summary Of the case. and
an outline Of the treatment hitherto our.
sued.
Il trust it meets your appreciation"
be added, with curl Of the lips.