Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-31
Bob vyhitlow's First Patient.

: know how it was in Bob Whitlow':
case.
Bob. after graduating with honor at {
first-class medical college, went out West
and, picking out a populous and sickly
neighborhood, pitched his professional tent
hung out his shingle, and boldly Offered
himself as a healer of the people.
His moderate patrimony was barely suf
feed to meet the expenses of his collegiate
and medical course, leaving his sole de.
{pendence 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 pronis-
ing. DIR. Chincough had reigned there fol
SO many years with undisputed sway, that
the offer of a young and inexperienced
practitioner to compete with him was gen.
erany looked upon as piece of imperti-
nence.
! True, the neighboring graveyard dlsclos-
ed mortality out Of all proportion to the
population: but nobody attributed it to
"Old Chin" as some of the less respectful
called him. I have already said it was a
sickly region, and Old Chin had a happy
knack, moreover, when his patients died,
of laying the blame on Providence, and
when they didn't of ascribing to himself
the glory.
AS for my friend, Bob WhitIow, 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 a well dressed young traveller
fell sick at thevillage inn. The landlord
with whom Bob boarded-would fain have
gotten the latter into the case for the
stranger had the appearance Of a man able
to. pay, and if Boil got good fee the pros
pect of his board bill being settled would
be decidedly improved
Accordingly, when the sick gentleman
spoke of calling physician, the landlord
would haye recommended Bob on the spot;
but the stranger going on to say that he
wished to consult physician Of age and
experience, his landlord had no alternative
/
''Call him in Immediately" said the sick
man.
Old Chin found the stranger dangerously
ill. He invariably found his patients so.
Catch him undertaking the difficulty Of a
case. He gave assurance of his ability,
however, to bring the gentleman round in
time, though the process might be slower
than could be wished.
Strong medicines. and plenty Of them,
was old Chln's rule of faith and practice,
and on it he set to work in the present
case.
/ The result was singularly unsuccessful.
! Every symptom combated seemed to be ag-
gravated by the remedy wherewith it was
thought to allay it. whilst the patient was
constantly complaining of fresh pains in
parts of his body not assailed before.
! Old Chin was at his wits end, he had
never in his whole professional life met
with case so obstinate.
Meanwhile the patient grew rapidly
worse, and at last to all appearance lay at
deaths door.
Old Chin gave it up. His skill was fairly
baf1ed.
II feel it my duty to warn you," he said,
addressing the sinking patient, that your
I case was beyond the reach of medical aid.
If you have any worldly matters to attend
to there is no time to be lost.''
'Is-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 DR.. WhiJlow."
ooh, didn't think of hem," said Old
Chin with sniff.
''Send for him. said the stranger.
eyes; send for him." said Old Chin,
with evident disgust.
A messenger was dispatched, and Bob
lost no time in obeying the summons.
| Old Chin, with a supercilious air, gave
Bob a brief summary of the case and an
outline of the treatment hitherto pursued.
II trust it meets your approbation, he
added, with curl of the lip.
II only wonder the man isn't dead!"
calculated Bob.
"What do you mean, Mr.. - Wit
less ?"
"Whitlow," corrected Bob.
"Whitlow OF Felon," beloved Old Chin
in a fury; 81 demand an explanation of
your insolence."
II only mean," said Bob quietly, ''that
the remedies you have administered were
enough to have killed a horse"
''Perhaps you can prescribe better, -
sneered Old Chin.
"If couldn't 1 wouldn It try" said Bob
''Suppose you do try,'' retorted Old Chin
contempthously.
''Ihere's my prescription, answered
Bob, (having written it off hastily.
"What ?" replied the other with deep
surprise, 'sstimulants for man in has con-
dition ?''
| 81 should think so." said Bob, <safter
the prostrating treatment he has gone
through"
| II will try the new prescription, ;" whls-
pered the sick man with effort.
Bob prepared it. and the patient swal-
lowed it. The effect was instantaneous.
! The stranger declared himself relieved,
and but for being cautioned by Bob against
such rashness, would have gotten up at
once. Old Chin was astounded,. but not
convinced.
sit is the temporary effect of the stimu-
lant when that passes off there will be a
relapse
But there was no relapse; and much to
! Old Chin's chagrin, the stranger was up
! and able to travel the next day.
Bob's reputation was established from
that time on, and Old Chin's began to
wane.~ Indeed, the latter found it conve
| To, e..