The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-20
A JEALOUS BEY
What Came of q Doctors Visit
to an Egyptian Harem.


DR.. Edward Warren, in his forthcom-
ing book. "A Doctors Experiences in
Three Continents" gives the following
amusing account of his professional visits
to a harem in Egypt. and the jeal-
'ousy caused by his politeness to d fair
patient:
came near being the cause of d.
vorce on one occasion, by simply doing
that which considered to be demanded
by the laws of common politeness. Twas
sent for by ar old Bey of wealth and in
fiuence to visit the youngest of his four
wives-a hazel-eyed Circass;an-who
was suffering from stomatites, produced
by the use of henna, substance in COM
mon use among the women of Egypt for
the staining of their nails, teeth, the
soles of their feet. etc. I found her
seated upon q divan, covered with a
hcbarroh, and as special privilege
was permitted to introduce my hand be-
meath its folds and to feel her gums.
Prescribing to the best of my ability,
under these Instantaneous circum-
stances, promised to return in a few
days and bowed myself out of the apart.
ment.
On my second visit, by some accident
left my dragoman at home, and found
on my arrival at the Bey's residence.
that its master was absent. The eunuch
received me very graciously, 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 gaily
about her malady, and gradually remov-
ing her veil until she had uncovered her
entire face. which thought perfectly
right, as her mother was present, and as
it enabled me to examine her gums, and
TO make a proper application to them.
She then ordered coffee and cigarettes,
which accepted in the best Arabic that
1 could master, 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 had been entertained. and de-,
parted, rejoiced in the conviction that l
had made a good impression upon the
invalid, and had secured the family en-
f'ermdne'ace as friends and patrons.
AT an early hour on the succeeding
morning received a message from the
Bey to the effect that his wife had gone
to the country for change of air, and
the sum of fifty francs in return for nv
professional services. Assured at once
that something was wrong, l sent
Aehmed around to present my compli-
ments and to ascertain the difficulty.
He soon returned. looking as pale as
ghost, and frightened nearly out of his
wits.
''Oh. Doctor" he exclaimed, as he
entered my Office, the Bey is terribly
angry with you. He is going to visit
the Khedive to complain that you have
insulted him and to 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 yes
terday. You are in serious trouble. 1
am sorry that was not with you
'.Iwas as polite and respectful as posi-
bic on yesterday. 1 conducted myself
as gentleman and physician in every
way. OF what does the old fool COM
plain?"
HE says that you have violated the
Mohammedan law-that you have Of
fered 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 it. He has already
punished his wife"
Punished his wife? What does it all
mean?'
His wife uncovered herself before
you. did she not?"
':Yes, but 1 had nothing to do with
her uncovering herself. She did it of
Ter own volition. What have done,
should like to know"
..You looked at her face; you saw her
mouth and the back of her head.
OF course. But how could I help
seeing her face and head when she I'M
covered them? As for her mouth, it is
what wanted to see. Was there any
crime in seeing what was before my
eyes-in looking at what l was sent for
to treat?'
''Yes. Doctor, according to the Mo-
bammedan law. it was q crime to look
al them. and especially at her mouth
and head. You have defiled her BY gaz-
il g at them. and have placed your life
even at the mercy of her husband
"A crime to look at her face! Defiled
by seeing her mouth and head! What
was to do when she uncovered herself
and exposed them to my view?"
at was your solemn duty to turn your
back upon her and then walk to the cor
-per of the room and hold your face un-
til she had recovered herself. That is
what our law and customs demand un-
der such circumstances: and it il for not
doing that precise thing that the old
man is angry and is going to report you
to his highness."
swell, let him report - soon - he
Pleases. His Highbess has lived in
Christian countries, and be knows that