Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-02-11
A STRAIGHT DIAGNOSIS
BY ELEANOR KIRK.
The doctor said it was malaria"
"HOw did Won GET malaria 90

how d1u you get malaria!
ooh, Aunt Mary, just as if one could
Gell anything about malaria It is like
the wind. It cometh from no one
knows where, and bloweth where it list
eth" and the invalid turned her pretty
flushed face on the pillow with move
ment of unmistakable irritation.
Blanche, dear, have the kindness to
look at me minute" said Miss Mary
Harrington, firmly but kindly. "We
don't want any mistake to start with.
You know [ am very blunt, and you
know that [ have opinions"
"And | know that there is no one in
the world like you when one is ILL.," the
young lady interrupted; "and that is
why [ begged and prayed for mamma
to send for you"
THAT is very pleasant and encourag-
ing as far as it goes" said the lady, "but
[ can remain, Blanche, as your nurse,
only on the condition that you obey me.
/ am ready TO unpack and stay or put
on my hat and CO."
Miss Harrington's gray eyes were
tender and smiling, and her whole face
was aglow with active benevolence; but
the broad brow and the firm mouth bad
also much TO say of careful study and
strength of character.
"Why, auntie, I should give up en-
tirely il you disappointed me now" the
invalid replied, with quivering lips. Il
have just lived on the thought of your
coming"
"Wen, viii you obey me?"
"Yes, auntie, and [ hope you'll re-
member that obedience is not nv strong
point"
"But I have your promise, and that
will do" said the nurse, cheerfully; "and
now we'll see"
Nineteen years DID," Miss Harring-
ton said to herself, and confined to her
bed eight weeks with malaria! Boghl
A bad tongue, feverish, more emaciated
than had expected to find her, pain in
her side, intermitting pulse, constant
oppression of the chest. backache, acute
petite. And this is malaria! Bosh
again! [ wonder what the doctors did
before the word malaria came into use {?
] must ask this physician his reasons for
calling this malarial attack"
Miss Harrington was as good as her
word. and forcing her commons and her
doubt quite into the backgrounds, start
ed On her tour of investigation with an
appearance of implicit faith In the abil-
.ity OF the medical man to answer her
questions.
'Is there anything the matter with
the plumbing? p the lady inquired.
"There isn't sanitary precaution
that your brother has not taken" the
doctor answered
''Do you know of other cases of ma
laria in this locality?"
ooh, yes; malaria is by no means
rare product in this neighborhood"
''But it is very high and dry, and con-
stantly swept by the sea breezes."
"Yes; very high and dry"
"And very gay?" Aunt Mary sug-
gested demurely.
"Yes; exceptionally gay"
There was a comical twinkle in the
gentleman's eye tnat told of quick ap-
probation of his companions remark.
"And late hours and thin shoes, and
low necks and salads and souff1es some
times include malaria, suppose
without doubt"
well, why don't you say so, then?"
Aunt Mary had kept her claws
sheathed just about as long as was pos
sible.
"A physician cannot NEEDLE with the
private life of his patient except in ex-
treme cases." was the unruffied re-
spouse. eff were to take the broad
platform which you recommend" the
gentleman added, 81 should not only
not do the least bit of good, but I
shouldn't have patient left. My rep
utation would be simply that of an old
busybody and an old fool. But, mad
anne, this is an excellent field for you,
and | am sure we can work together
with the utmost harmony"
Perhaps you are right" said Miss
Harrington, thoughtfully, "but don't |
exactly see it. Of course, if your pa /
tients are all idiots, that settles it,"
"You would Scarcely call your niece
an idiot" said the doctor, "and she is
as fair a representative of the class as I /
could name"
After few days of Aunt Mary's ef-