Connecticut western news., 1877-03-02
The Sick Male.


 points at which the views and the GUS toms of men and women diverge more or less widely, but there is probably nothing in which the difference is more strongly marked than in their respec- tive methods of bearing small illnesses and indispositions. Small ones, be it said advisedly; grave malady has or dinarily so prostratipg an effect that it is undergone with an almost apathetic patience born of it's very severity. But with smaller ailments the case is differ ent; and it is in their manner of bear ing smile on the countenances of their less robust but more long-suffering womankind., It never seems to occur to an ordinary lord of creation that it is within the bounds of possibility that one of the minor ills to which the flesh is heir should touch him, and he is as astonished and aggrieved when he finds himself suffering from headache or a fit of influenza as if the malady were a perfectly abnormal occurrence. This is the more remarkable as, almost inva- riably, he scoffs at and laughs to scorn any precautionary measure-declines to change wet shooting boots, as being Eof no consequence" and consistently sits in a draught because he is over heated. But when the heavy cold comes he is all amazement, cannot con- oeive how he caught it, and regards himself as a victim grievously ill-treat- ed by fate, and deserving of all possible sympathy and compassion. AS a rule a woman is abundantly pitiful and sym pathetic; but it must require immense command over her risible muscles to re- press smile wEen her lord gravely as sures her that no one was ever so ill before; and that she cannot have the faintest conception of what he is endu- ring. She thinks of the many colds | from which she has suffered, for which he has always condemned her for "cod- ding" assuring her that cold was a ''mere trit1e, nothing to make a fuss about" And yet, what was her fuss ing to his? Besides feeling i'll, she is always willing to try such such reme- dies as experience has taught her are the most eficacious, while he can be persuaded to try nothing, though he complains sorely that no one does any thing for him or appears to compassion ate his evil case.
 It is hardly a happy time for those brought much in contact with him. If he suffers from headache the whole machinery of the house must be stopped, not door must creak, nor footfall be heard, though he is the last person in the world to respect the headaches of that they are only another name for caprice or convenience. At the smallest derangement of his usual robust health, from whatever cause it may arise, he at once believes himself to be extremely if not dangerously, ill; and yet, with a strange perversity, absolutely refuses tosee doctor. His feminine belongings, if they are wise, commiserate and make much of him, but are never in the slightest degree alarmed so long as he grumbles and bewails himself; when he becomes silent as to his sufferings they at once conclude that something serious is really the matter.
 Perhaps the most doleful spectacle that can be presented to the imagina- tion is that of man afflicted with the toothache. It certainly is most wear. ing and distressing pain; still, it has been endured at different times by al. most every one. It is edifying to note that though, when any one else haS been attacked with the same torment he has recommended instant recourse to dentist, and has derided any back wardness in following his advice a' } cowardice, he is, when his own time comes, no more eager to plant himsel in the chair of doom than were his des pised friends, and is fertile in inventins expedients for putting off the evil day probably, if the pain abates to remot'