The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-05-06
aait and Auntor.
Bob. whitlow's First Patient,

clients, Is one Of the unsolved mysteries
/ know how it was in Bob Whitlow's
case.
Bob, after graduating with honor at q
first-class medical college, went out West
and, picking out popuIous and sickly
neighborhoOd, pitched his professional tent,
hung out his shingle, and boldly offered
himself as healer of the people.
His moderate patrimony was barely
sufficient to meet the expenses of his col
legiate and medical course, leaving his
sole dependence for the future on success
in the walk Of life he had chosen.
| A few months convinced him that the
immediate prospect was not very promising.
DIR. Chincough had reigned there for SO
many years with undisputed sway, that
the offer Of young and inexperienced
practitioner to compete with him was gen.
orally looked upon as piece of imperti-
nenee
True, the neighboring graveyard dis
closed mortality out of all proportion to
the population but nobody attributed il
to "0ld Chin, as some Of the less respect
full called him. | have already said it
was 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 him
self 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 in arrears, and unless affairs took a
speedy turn an unpleasant crisis must be
reached soon.
One day well dressed young traveller
fell sick at the village inn. The landlord
with whom Bob boarded--would fain
have gotten the latter into the case, for
the stranger had the appearance of man
able to pay, and if Bob got good fee the
prospects of his board bill being settled
would be decidedly improved.
| Accordingly, when the sick gentleman
spoke Of calling in physician, the land
lord would have recommended Bob on the
spot; but the stranger going on to say that
he wished to consult a physician Of age
and experience, his landlord had no alter
native but to name DR., Chincough
"Call him Immediately" said the sick
man.
Old Chin found the stranger danger
ously i'll. He invariably found his patients
so. Catch him undertaking the difficulty
of case. He gave the 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 Chin's rule of faith and practice,
and on it he set to work in the present case.
The result was singularly unsuccessful.
Every symptom combatted seemed to be
aggravated by the remedy wherewith ii
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 a case 80 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 baiied.
"I feel it my duty to warn you" he
said, addressing the sinking patient, "that
your case is 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 ventures to
hint--''there's DR.. Whitlow."
"0h, / didn't thiak Of him." said Old
Chin with snuff.
"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 supercilious air, gave
Bob brief summary of the case and an
outline Of the treatment hitherto pursued.
II trust il to meet your appreciation"
he added, with curl Of the lip.
I only wonder the man isn't dead r
calculated Bob.
"What do you mean, Mr.--W Witless p
"Whitlow, /" corrected Bob.
"Whitlow or Felon, beloved Old Chin,
in fury.
81 only mean" said Bob quietly, ''that
the remedies you have administered we're
enough to have killed horse"
Perhaps you can prescribe better, /"
sneered Old Chin.
"If l couldn Z / wouldn't try, /" said Bob.
Suppose You do try" retorted Old
Chin ccntemptuously.
There's my prescription, " answered Bob,
(haying written it of hastily.)
"WhatI" replied the other with deep
surprise, ''stimulants for man in his con-
dition p
II should think SO" said Bob, aaiter
the prostrating treatment that he has gone
through"
Il viii try the new prescription, (" whis-
pered the sick man with effort.
Bob prenared IL. and the rnfianf ANAL.