Savannah morning news., 1885-10-12

How an American Doctor Raised De-
nestio Row in Egypt.

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amusing account OF ms proiesslohal Vlsil'
10 harem in Egypt, aad the jealousy
caused by his politeness to a fair
,,atient.
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cams near oolhb l"o o'"'o
divorce on ono occasion, by SIMPLY "o'h=
that which / considered to he demanded
by the laws Of common pOlienc-s. / was
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Auehue 10 WISH sue 5ouHse9' % MS ~
WiVes--a hazel-eyed, yoiupl0ous looNhg
CiroaBsiau-Who was suffering from
EtoInartes. produced by the use OF benna,
substance m common use among the
women Of Egypt for Ire staining OF their
nails, teeth, the soies OF their feet, etc. !
found her seated upon IA dlVan, covered
with "a bQldlYah, and RS special priv
ileee was permitted to introduce my
hand beneath its folds and TO jeet her
gums Prescribing TO tho best OF my
ability, under these disadyantageous cir
cumstances, ! promised to return in n
few days and bowed myself out Of the
apartment.
On my second visit, by some accident, l
left my dragOman at home, and found, on
my arrival at the Bey's residence, that
its master was absent. The eunuch re-
ceived me very grRciously, however, and
conducted me TO the apartment OF his
mistress, where | found the patient
awaiting me. The fair invalid was un-
usually complaisant, expressing much
pleasure at my visit. chatting saYlY about
her malady, and gradually removing her
veil until she had uncovered her entire
face, which / thought perfectly right as
her mother was present, and as 1t enabled
me to examine her gums, and to make a
proper application to them. she then or
dered coffee and cigarettes, which l ac-
cepted in the best Arabic that could
muster, and made myself as agreeable as
possible, though not getting beyond a Few
commonplace expressions taken from the
phrase-bOoK.
was delighted with the manner in
which | bad been entertained, and l
departed, rejoicing in the conviction
that / rad made good impression
upon the invalid, and had secured the
family en- permdaeRce as friends and
patrons.
At an early hour on the succeeding
morning / received message from the
Bey to the effect that his wife had gone to
the country for change Of air, and the
sum Of 90 francs in return for my profess
slonal services. Assured at once that
something was wrong, l sent Achmed
around To present my compliments and 10
ascertain The difficulty. He soon returned
looking as pale as ghost, and frightened
nearly out Of his wits.
"On, Doctor" he exclaimed, as he en-
tered my office, ''the Bey is terribly angry
with you. lie Is going to visit the
hhediYe to complain that you have ln-
suited him, and 70 ask for redress. He
says that you shall be driven out Of the
country for the great outrage that you
have perpetrated In his house on yester-
day. You are in serious trouble. l am so
sorry that | was not with you"
Il was as polite and respectful as pos
sible on yesterday. l conducted myself
as gentleman and physician in every
way. OF what does the old fool COM
plalnW
he says that you have violated the
M0hammedan law-tnat you have offered
an insult to the religion and the customs
OF the country, and he sWears by the
beard Of the Prophet that you shall be
punished for II. lie has already punished
his Wife,"
'Punlshed his wife? What does it all
meanP
"His wife uncovered herself before you,
did she not?'
"1es, but l had nothing to do with her
uncovering herself. She did 1t OF her own
Nollton. What have l done, l should like
70 knowp
You looked at her face; you saw her
mouth and the back Of her head"
"Of course, but how could | help seeing
her face aud head when she uncovered
themg As for her mouth, it is what l
wanted TO see. Was there any crime
IN seeing what was before my eyes
In looking at what / was sent Tor TO
treatg'
es, Doctor, according to the Moham-
medan law II was a crime TO look at them,
and especially at her mouth and head.
ou nave denied her by gazing at them,
and have placed your life even at the
mercy OF her husband"
"A crime To look at her face! Deh led
by seeing her mouth and head What
was 1 10 do when she uncovered herself
and exposed them TO my view"
sit was your solemn duty 10 turn your
back upon her and then walk to the cor
ner OF the room and hold your face until
she had recovered herself. That is what
our law and customs demand under such
circumstances; and II is for not doing
that precise thing that the old man is
angry and is going to report you 10 his
highness.p
"Well, let him report as soon as he
pleases. His highness has lived in Chris
tian countries, and he knows that to turn
ones back 0n a lady is an 0nense that no
gentleman would think Of committing.
am not IN the least alarmed. Bnt you say
he has punished his wife. What has he
done 10 hery
n haG MIN aflll.g D.. 4 1.