Huntsville gazette., 1886-09-25

States navyi in 1856. He voyagcd all
over the world. being attached at one
time to the Pacific squadron, and, dur
ing the war, Witnessed the fight be-
tween the Monitor and Merrimac in
Hampton roads. He was discharged
from the navy, enlisted in one of the
Pennsylvania regiments and took part
in several battles. Shortly after the
war he came to Chicago, where he was
some time city undertaken whats
the matter with you, Georgep" queried
the doctor.
''Got shot in the eye during a sham
battle in Indiana" was the reply.
And, sure enough, Werner, who had
gone through all sorts of real battles,
had at last succumbed to a sham one.
He had been hit in the left eye by
wad, and on examination the doctor
decided that the only means of saving
the other eve was to take the damaged
one out.
'All right, fire away" said the old
soldier, taking off his coat and stretch
ing himself on the operating table.
Ether was administered and the dam
aged eye removed. Right behind, the
eye was found a piece of wad about
the size of half dollar. How it had
not killed him was a miracle.
The last case to be brought in was an
instance of how much is done in a
charitable institution, like the Alexian
Brothers for poor patients. 1t was
the case of a young German who had
been run over by a street car and had
his leg fractured. His leg began to
slough, and he has been an inmate of
the hospital since last December.
There is very little hope, if any, of his
leg being saved, and even if it should
be, he will be a cripple for life. The
chances are he will die soon, but he
steadily refuses to have his leg cut off.
Ii this had been done some time ago he
would have been going about now with
an artificial leg, but he won't allow it.
In his case it is sheer cowardice that
prevents him giving his consent, and
unless he does it the doctors are unable
to operate on him. Meanwhile he re-
ceives the best the hospital affords in
the way of food and surgical dress
ings, and he must have cost the
Brothers at least five hundred dollars
since his admittance While he was
being dressed he beloved like a bull
and began the believing before he was
even touched.
The doctor was just putting up his
instruments after this case when the
clang of the bell of the patrol-wagon
was heard, and two policemen shortly
afterwards entered supporting between
them respectfully lad about
nineteen years of age. The boy gave
his name as Joseph Tobias, and said
he had attempted suicide in Lincoln
Park by taking poison, the reason
being that he had no home, no friends,
no work and no money. He was at
tended to, and there is some chance of
his recovery.
The reporter and the doctor then
walked through the hospital and visited
some of the private rooms where ''pay"
patients are treated. In one room was
poor Kelly. the fireman, who was so
badly hurt by the upsetting of the
chemical engine some time ago.
kelly's injuries are very severe and he
will never be an efficient fireman
again. His leg is fractured, but the
worst injury is to his arm, which is
badly burned to the wrist, all the mus
Gle being exposed. He will never be
able to use the arm again. Another
remarkable case in the hospital is that
of man who is being treated for in
flammation of the inner membrane of
the heart. He is an anatomical Curl
osity IN his way, his heart being on his
right side and his liver on the left.
The curious part of the case is that
the man when admitted did not know
of this peculiarly.
The Alexian Brothers Hospital is
one of the best conducted and most de-
serving charities in the city of Chicago.
Not single individual in the institu-
ton receives cent of salary, and the
Brothers lead life of the greatest
self-denial, rising at daybreak, winter
and summer, and devoting the entire
day to the nursing of the sick. Their
vows bind them to poverty and obed-
ience and all they do is for the good of
others, trusting for their reward in the
hereafter. They are at present build
ing an addition to the hospital to cost
about twenty-five thousand dollars
Chicago Tribune.