The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-05-17
Anecdotes 6f Aberuethy.

The great English surgeon, 3clsn
Abefnethy, was far ahead of his age in
the httmahities Of his profession. He
had no synpethy with the cutting and
slashing style of tfeasment, though ready
and able to perform any operation that
was absolutely necessary with exquisite
skill. Many m4imed "old soldier" now
mourns leg or arm that he might have
kept, ifarmy surgeons had cared as .a..ch
for The patients welfare as for trying cx-
periments and keepingup their practice.
Abernethy used to say that Operations
are refectidn on the healing art; that
the habitual operator is a savage in arms
who performs by violence Hhat Il civil
lied person would perform by strataseiff."
A poor 1rishrnan, not long after Abef-
nethy had succeeded to the post of chief
surgeofi in st. Bartholemew's Hospital,
was brought in, suffering from deceased
leg. Amputation was advised, but Aber-
nethy refused his consent, and finally
eucceeded in curing the diseased limb.
Going one day through the hospital with
his pupils, the Irishman, thrusting his
leg CUT Of bed, shouted OUT
"That's the leg, your honor, that's it,!
Your honor's the boy to- do it; bad luck
to the spaipeens who BHtt your honor
would cut it OFF,
Abernethy, improving the OCCASION,
lectured his pupils on the folly of hastily
gripping person for life, while there
w2s chance of c;lringa diseased member.
Paddy endorsed oil the doctor said, re-
peatedly tossing his recovered leg into
the air, and exc!aiming,-
III 10 ~ Inrs rSvHtIn
minp'
Once, when preparations were made
for a necessary operation, the chief as
sistant said, II think everything is all
FE q sir; the patient can be brought
AGgttethy gave q quick glance. "No,"
said he, 'eve2 jthfng is not right. Go
and get napkin aug cover UP those ter
rifyinp instruments. The f.tsn need not
be Mortified by the sight of Them
The great surgeon was so benevolent
chat he would almost ways attend q
poor patient sooner than rich one. He
was Just steppins into his carriage to
visit sick duke, Rffeh It pressing re-
quest came to see a sufferer who wal
without means to tender q fee.
II cannot 20 to him at present. sa't
Abernethy.
eff you cannot go at once, it will be
useless to go at ALL" said the messen
ger.
Abernetlly stopped the carriage and
! inouired the poor mans address. The
street and number We're given.
"Drive there Immediately, coachman,'
said the doctor. "Tue d nke must wait
Besides, he can command the service OF
twenty physiclans.'
A widow brought her child from tbs
country to the hospital, having carefully
saved up her money till she had enough
to pay tile proper fees. Aberenthy
cured the child, and at the end of tht
time returned the fees, putting fifty
| pounds besides into the w6nan's hands
Another widow in the hospital ha(
be en- awaiting an operation, and ha'
carefully prepared for it; but just be
fore the time set she suddenly deter
mined to leayethe hospital. Aberenthy
was much annoyed at this, and expressed
himself in angry ferns.
"Her father is dying in the country,
interposed an assistaht, and wishes t.
see herr
"Yon fool! why didn't You tell M
that nefore?" said Abernethy.
| He at once gave the woman money tc
enable her 20 to her father and return
| as soon as she could.