River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-05-17
Anecdotes of Abernethy.

The great English surgeon, John
Abernethy, WIS far ahead of his age in
the humanities 81 his profession. He
had no sympathy with the ctlttfrg and
slashing style of treatment, though ready
and able to perform any operation that
was absolutely necessary with exquisite
skill. Many manned "old soldier" now
mourns a leg or arm that he might have
kept, ifarmy surgeons had cared as much
fSr tI1e patients welfare as for trying ex
pefImGnts and keeping up their practice.
Abernethy used To say that Operations
are reflection on tire healing art; that
the habitual operator is a savage in arms
who performs by violence what q civil
lied person would perform by stratageifI."
A poor Irishnan, not long after AbeI-
nethy had succeeded to the post of chief
surgeon in st. Bartholemew's Hospital,
was brought in, suffering from adecased
leg. Amputation was advised, but Aber-
nethy refused his consent, and finally
succeeded III curing the diseased limb.
Going one day through the hospital with
his pupils, the Irishman, thrusting his
leg our OF bed, shouted OUT
THAT'S the leg, your honor, that's i'll
Your honor's the boy 20 do it.; bad luck
to the spalpeens who said your honor
would cut it OFF,
Abernethy, improving the occasion,
lectured his pupils on the folly of hastily
crippling person for life, while there
was chance of caringa diseased member.
Paddy endorsed all the doctor said, re-
beatedly tossing his recovered leg into
Che air, and exclaiming,-
tits all therel That's the leg, gintle-
minI'
Once, when preparations we're inside
for necessary operation, the chief as
sistant said, 81 think everything is all
right, sir; the patient can be brought
m !.
Abernetliy gave quick glance. mo"
said he, everything is not right. 10
and get a napkin and cover up those ter
rifying instruments. The man need not
be Mortified by the sight of Them
The great surgeon was so benevolent
that he would most ways attend a
poor patient sooner than a rich one. He
was Just stepping into his carriage to
visit sick duke, when pressing re-
quest came to see a sufferer who was
without means to tender fee.
81 cannot 20 10 him at present." said
Abernethy.
"Ifyou cannot 60 at once, it will be
useless to 20 at all" said the messen-
ger.
Abernethy stopped the carriage and
inquired the poor mans address. The
street and number were given.
Drive there immediately, coachman,"
said the DOCTOR "The duke must wait.
Besides, he can command the service OF
twenty physicians"
A widow brought her child from the
country to the hospital, having carefully
saved up her money till she had enough
to pay the proper fees. Aberentby
cured the child, and at the end of the
time returned the fees, putting fifty
pounds besides into the woman's hands.
Another widow in the hospital had
be en- awaiting an operation, and had
carefully prepared for it; but just be-
fore the time set she suddenly deter
mined to Ieavethe hospital. Aberenthy
was much annoyed at this, and expressed
himself in angry terms.
"Her father is dying in the country"
interposed an assistahts and wishes to
see her.
'eYou fool! why didn't you tell me
that Defore?" said Abernethy.
He at once gave the woman money to
enable her 90 to her father and return
as soon as she could.