Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-16
Doctor Bob IngersOIl.

THE SCEPTTC GIVES HIS VIEWS ON MEDICAL TREAT
MENT.
From the New York Commercial Advertiser
Col. Robt. G. Ingerson has his ideas on doctors
and physics, and medical treatment as well as on
some other subjects, and In connection with the
illness of his friend, Mr.. Conkling, he said:
There Is altogether TOO much gloom about most
about and wear long faces ana act generally in a
way that would make even aswell man Sick and IA
bound to make sick man worse believe many
man has been hurried across the dark river by
his horrible, soul-depressing treatment. who might
have become wen and strong and useful II he had
more sunshine and fresh air In his room, or the
Odor OF flowers TO Offset the smell Of the drugs and
smiling. hopeful countenances about instead of
woe-beSone visages. whose every glance betoken
the loss OF hope and the belief the speedy DISCO
luton OF the pain-racked patient.
81 had friend once named Haley, royal good
fellow, Of whom ] thought great deal. ON one
occasion / received word that my Old friend was
dying and wanted to see me; SO / went over 70
his house. / met his wife and she had face as
Portable. Wen, went to see Haley, and there he
lay counting the moments In bitter fear that
each would be the last. don't know what par
that or the medicine had turned him a vivid san.
ron color. Haley said, IN be hanged II ia
want 70 die with such complexion as that. You
would be In pretty plight to go incoming about
the other world looking like Chlnaman' I went
on for few minutes, when the poor fellow began
TO enter into the spirit Of the subject himself and
showed him his face In looking glass and thar
brought a smile. Then turned to his weeping
wife and told her to cheer up that Haley was moi
going to die; that he was good for twenty years TO
come.
"'The trouble with your husband is that he ia
scared to DEATH I said. You all come in look.
ing so downcast and sorrowrul that you give MIN
the impression he Is done for and take away an
his courage TO fight against his sickness
We'll, the result OF all this was that Haley COM
rnenced TO mend, and time and again since then he
has said that my visit saved his life.
''On another occasion there was a major In the
Army, whom knew very we'll He was taken ill
and believed he was going TO die. believed he
was simply homesck, or something OF that sort
Well, wrote his obituary and went TO see him In
his tent.
"Major,' I said, you are so sure of dying that
nave written your obituary and want to read IL to
YOU He protested, but went on with the read
ing and detailed every pleasant incident OF his life
Before finished a smile fitted across his face
After the obituary read him a story OF something
that was supposed to have taken place year after
his funeral. II was description OF his widows
second marriage. There were a good many more
people at the wedding than there were at the fune
raj Well TINS treatment had the effect to change
his Authorizations, and he recovered and did good
service during the war, ana lived a happy nfe for
years after.
"Then there was a man from my town. named
Marcy. He got II into his head that he was going
TO die. AT that time no one was allowed 10 leave
the Army for Visit to the North, except on sick
leave, or occasionally TO accompany the remains
OF dead comrade. saw Marcy and said to him :
NOW. Marcy, you say you are going to die II that
Is SO don't suppose few days one way or the
other will make much difference to you I want
| 70 60 home for day or two about the 18th. bur
cannot get leave OF absence. Now, II you want To
do me great favor and will quit this nfe saw on
take you home-see! But knew my man. ana he he
did not die. He got very angry instead, and ~.
covered, but he declares to this day that it was
bornness and gave him grit 70 night for his Ire
He always did object TO beng made mere con.
venlence Of"