The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-06
AN INTERESTING PATIENT.


tally. Both were young, somewhere
between twenty-five and thirty, and
both were enthusiastic students of the
noble profession of medicine. They
had become intimate at college. and 2
strong friendship existed that had
known no jar or break. DR.. Wilfred
Atkinson was Western man, coming
from Illinois: while Dr. Frederick Read
claimed a New England town for his
birthplace.
1t was Fred Read who said:
s.You will accept this offer?'
Accept it?' cried his friend. al
should think 50. 1t is what want most
in the world. You see, | have ALWAYS
been more interested in the study of in
sanity than in any other form of dis
ease, and to be resident physician in an
asylum, where | have only made weekly
visits, gives me opportunity for study
that could never have elsewhere.
Yes. | know all that; but it viii be
very confning. l think | prefer gen
eral practice. after all. But you may
expect to see me often. How l shall
miss YOU, old fellown'
And then the talk drifted into other
Cil3DNtlS. uiitll III [1bhluSO1 ulScONtIcu
that it was time for his train to L,
where his new home and field of duty
lay.
"You viii come over often" he
urged, in parting from his friend; land
if | am busy or away, make yourself u
home. The grounds are large, and very
pleasant, and if YOU meet any of the
patients, be sure those who are allowed
to roam about inside the walls are
harmless. Some Of them are absolutely
sane on every point but one; touch that,
and off they 90. But the eyes tell the
story"
Yes; it is hard to hide it there"
''And contradiction brings out the
truth. As long as the decisions are
humored theJ are generally amiable
enough; but once cross them-whew :"
Il shall come over often and hear the
results of your experience. My enor-
nous practice takes about three hours
a day"
In pursuance of this promise DR..
Read took the train about once 4 week
and spent an hour or two with his
friend, finding him generally busy, as
his duties included general superin-
tendence of the asylum and details that
were quite Independent of professional
work. Still, he took it all as a part of
mis- new lie, and gave his mind as fully
TO ordering groceries and towels as he
did TO writing prescriptions and study
ing cases.
But Fred as he became familiar with
the place, began to share his friends
interest in the study ofmental disorders
and would often spend hours roaming
through the wards and grounds with
only few words to DIR. Atkinson.
1t was when June was young and the
air soft and pleasant that DIR. Read,
strolling about in the prettiest part of
the grounds, saw lady in a summer
house whose face attracted him at once.
1t was a very pale face and the large
dark eyes were languid, while the
slender figure seemed weak as if from
recent illness. But it was, too, a beau
tiful young face, shaded by waving
brown hair, and with purely oval out
line and regular features.
"a new patient" was Fred's mental
exclamation. What a lovely FACET
Then he sauntered over to the sum-
mer house and spoke to the lady. To
his CONSERVATION, she started. gave
quick, gaSping sob and tainted. TWAS
not a very long insensibility, and under
Fred's quick treatment the large eyes
opened, and she whispered:
80, | am so sorry to trouble you.
But | have been very i'll. and you
startled me-"
Il was very much to blame, " he said.
penitently, land hope YOU will par
don me. Are you well enough now for
me to run up to the house for a glass of
wine?"
al am well enough. but do not need
it." and she sat up again and took ups
piece of needle work that had dropped
from her hands Her fingers still
trembled, and pretty flush came a
moment into her pale face, as she said:
''Are you one ofthe physicians here?"
''Only by courtesy" he replied. Il
have the run of the place; but DR.. At
kinson is the physician. Old DR.. Hare
is the head doctor, but he does very
little"
''Yes, l know! 1t is lovely place,
is it not? Out hece, mean! inside"
and she shuddered, 1.-The sounds are
often dreadful. But the doctor at home
thought change of air would be good
for me, and so mamma sent me here. ="
Change of airr' thought Fred.
-'Poor little thing. Quite unconscious
of her infrmity."
And he chatted away with her, dis
cussing the weather, the beauty of the
grounds, the songs of the birds in the
trees around them, and so gradually
drifting to books, to comparisons of
opinion and criticism. And all through
a delightful hour Fred vainly tried to
discover the one point upon which the
new patient was insane. Whatever it
was, it evaded him and he looked as
vainly for any wandering or vacancy in
the soft brown eyes that met his own.
full of intelligence.
They were still converSing when one
of the nurses came down the path lead
ing to the summer house.
s'Miss Bessie" she said, ''Dr. Akin
son sent me to say you had better lie
down now for an hour or two, and he
has sent some medicine to your room.
Let me help your
DR.. Read being physician, made. no
attempt to detain the fair patient, noting
with sincere sympathy how weak she
was, and how YEARLY she leaned upon
the nurses strong arm.
be did not feel inclined to have any
testing about his interest, such as his
friend was wont to indulge in, when
ladies were the subject, so he said moth
ING of his experience, and joined DIR.
Atkinson in his rounds" without hint