The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-05-13
A Famous Physician.

Speaking of famous physicians, a writer
in Chambers Journal says: In Abernethy
we come to one of those rough, eccen-
trio physicians of whose kindness innu-
merable good stories are told. Like DIR.
johnson, he had a warm heart under
rough exterior. Though he could be
absolutely brutal to fine ladies and
affected misses, he is said to have been an
amiable man, beloved of his family and
friends. But to tiresome patients and
nldtades indgtRdirs he was at times the
personation of rudeness: "Sir, that's
enough; go home and read my book" "
To lady who complained of low spirits
he would say: Don't come to me; go
and buy a skipping-rope." Sometimes,
however, he met his match. Curran one
day came to consult him, and he was
rather diffuse in describing the symptoms
of his disorders. Sir" said Abernethy,
"you had better tell me your whole life"
Upon which Curran sat down and Sc
riously began: was born in the year
-, in the county of -, Ireland, and
Abernethy burst into laugh and entered
properly into his case. A lady deter
mined to he brief and to humor the ty-
rant one day entered his consulting-room
and, thrusting out an injured hand, mere
ly said: My thumb, sir" You, mad
am" he exclaimed in admiration, " are
the only sensible woman ever had for
a patient
A gentleman, equally determined, be-
ing roughly interrupted, suddenly lock ed
the door, put the key in his pocket, and
insisted ON being heard. AbeTnethy
smiled, and complimented the patient OF
his resolution. To gentleman who
dc
| wife he said: Are you the fool who
gave me twenty pounds the other day
| Go home and tell your wife to dine early
and eat less; and do you keep YOU
money in your pocket, for no doctors
advice is worth twenty pounds" To /;
| lady he said severely: $50 home anC
tell your husband he will not have /;
wife this day six months"
| Abernethy was no respecter of persons
/. Poor or rich, his patients had to submis
sively take their turns, or they might g
elsewhere. An angry nobleman one,
broke into his room and stated his ranl
and position in full, and asked Aberneth,
if he knew who he was. To his Aber
nethy replied: And l, sir, am Johl
Abernethy, surgeon lecturer of st. Bar
tholomew's Hospital, etc, and if you wis
| to consult me l am now ready to hea
what you have 10 say in return, sir.
The Duke of Wellington, angry at hay
ing to wait his turn, abruptly entered hi
room. Abernethy asked him how he ha'
entered. "By the door, sir" Then,
said the irascible doctor, Il recommen,
you to make your exit the same way.
He is also said to have refused TO atten
George ". till his lecture at the hospita
was over The point on which AbeI
nethy most insisted was the stomach, an
through that important organ he de
clared that all diseases could be cured
The celebrated biscuit which he used t
! eat and recommend were not so calie
from him, but from the baker who frs
invented them. That there was kinC
ness in Abernethy, who can deny VIII
remembers the story of how he returne
all his fees to a poor widow who ha
,nsulted him. and added fifty pound
10 enable her to give her sick child
daily ride. He had horror of oper
tions, and rejoieed when the evil coul
be averted without such rough and teIr
BILE remedies.