The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-11-07
THE RIVAL DOCTORS.

What was the most interesting
case in your long experience, Doc
tor p
1t was at little entertainment
given in honor of Or. Tourniquets s
retirement from practice-an event
we younger aspirants felt inclined to
celebrate with no small satisfaction
that the foregoing question was
put to the guest of the evening.
Il think, said the old gentleman,
about the most interesting case l
ever had was the first
Would you mind relating it?
Not at all. Whatever secret there
once was about it, all reason for
keeping it has long since passed
1t is now nearly fifty years, he
continued, since | presumed to set
tie here, and enter into competition
with old Carver, whose dazzling gilt
sign, emblazoned with his name and
professional designation of 'Physi-
clan and Chirurgeon-Curmudge
would have hit the mark more clear
ly-had hitherto enjoyed monop-
oily of lighting fools to dusky death.
He never passed me without scowl,
and never spoke of me but with con-
tempt. His evident purpose was to
nip my pretensions in the bud. /
should never have case if he could
help it. | began to lose heart at
last, and was seriously considering
the advisability of giving up the
struggle and leaving the headstrong
population to old Carver and their
fate when one night | received
hurried call to attend a gentleman
who had just had bis leg broken.
Mr.. Loammi Furneval, the indi-
vidual referred to, was a respectable
middle aged bachelor, for some time
thought tobe particularly attentive to
Miss Berencla Potts, a maiden lady
of fortune, and nearly his own age.
In attempting TO board moving
railroad train, he had missed his
footing and fallen so that one of his
legs was run over and completely
crushed almost to the knee.
They carried him home on a
stretcher, and, as usual in such cases.
messengers ran for all the doctors in
the place-that is TO say, in the pres
ent instance, for old Carver and N.Y.
self.
we arrived simultaneously.
1T is compound comminuted
fracture of the tibia and the tibula =
said old Carver, pushing forth TO
take possession by first getting his
ugly paw on the injured limb, which
he fumbled roughly throug the cloth
ing.
It's case for immediate amputa-
ton he added, opening his case of
instruments.
Il shall not require your services
spoke up Mr.. Furneval, with consid-
erable energy for one in his condi-
ton. i prefer placing myself in the
hands of DR.. Tourniquet.
Everybody looked astonished.
and old Carver's face grew blacker
than thunder cloud.
Your blood be on your own head 7
he croaked ominously, and bundling
up his instruments he banged the
door behind him.
Il wish to be left alone with the
Doctor, said Mr.. Furneval, when old
Carver had gone if assistance is
needed it can be called.
Everybody withdrew but the pa
tient and myself, and there, alone
and single handed. did everything
the case required.
You don't mean to say YOU am
putated the limb without assistance?'
said a fidgety little NJ. d., across the
table.
No; you see Mr.. F., as / have
said, was keeping company with
Miss Potts, and thinking he might
be better able to walk than to hob
bic into her affections, we decided
against amputation, and proceeded
accordingly.
Next morning / met old Carver
on the street. He was in the habit
of passing me with a frown without
speaking, but this time he stopped.
'How's your patient p he inquir-
ed. with a sneer.
Doing finely replied.
Your first amputation, | sup
pose?'
Neither first nor last said !
didn't amputate at ALL
i suppos you know the legs
smashed to splinters
Il do
And you haven't amputated p
NO
And don't intend TOP
NO
Better go to the undertakers and
order a coffin then.'