The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-18
DOCTOR INGERsoLL..
The Amfabia Skeptic Gives His Views on
Medical Treatment.

The Amfabla Skeptic Gives His Views on
Medical Treatment.
New York Commercial Advertiser.
Col. Robert q. Ingerscai has his ideas on doc
tors 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 sick chambers he said. People tip-t toe in
and about and wear long faces and act
generally in q way that would make even
well sick and is bound to make
sick man worse believe many man
has been hurried across the dark river
by mis- horrible. embarrassing treat
ment. who might have become well, and
strong. and useful, if he had more sunshine and
fresh air in his room. or the odor of flowers to
Offset the smell Of the drugs, and smiling, hope
full countenances about instead of woe-begone
visaees, wEose every glance betoken the loss OF
hope and the belief in the speedy dissolution OF
the pain-racked patiens
good fellow, of whom I thought great deal.
On one occasion received word that my old
friend was dying and wanted to see me. so
had face as long as the moral law and ten
times moro uncomfortable. Well, went in to
see Haley. and there he lay counting the
ments III bitter fear that each would be- the
he troubled with. but either
that the medicine had turned him q
hanged if I'd want to die with such complexion
as that. You would be in a pretty plight to go
incoming about the other world looking like
Chinaman.' / went on for few minutes when
the poor fellow began enter into the spirit of
the subject himself and showed him his face
in looking glass. and that brought smile.
Then turned to his weeping wife aud told her
10 cheer up. that Haley was not going to die;
that he was good for twenty years 30 come.
The trouble with your husband is that he Is
scared TO DEATH" I said. s.You all come in
looking so downcast and sorrowful that you give
him the impression he is done for and take away
al his courage to fgn against his sickness"
Well, the result Of all this was that Haley
commenced 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 well. He was taken
ill and believed he was going 20 die. be-
1ieved he simply homesck, or something OF
that sort. Well, wrote his obituary and went
to see him in his tent
that have written your obituary and want to
read it to YOU He protested. but went on
with the reading and detailed every pleasant in
q smile fitted across his face.
After the obituary read him
. story of something that was supposed to have
taken place year after his funeral. 1t was
description of his widows second marriage.
There were good many more people at the
wedding than there were at the funeral. Well,
this treatment had the effect TO change the cur
rent of the Majors thoughts. 1t broke M his
hallucinations, and he recovered and did good
service during the war, and lived happy life
for years after
.sThen there was o man from my town named
Marcy. He got it into his head that he was GO
ing 10 die. At that time one was allowed to
leave the army for visit to the North.
except on sick leave, or occasion ally
to accompany the remains of o dead
conrace. / saw Marcy and said to
him Now Marcy. you say you are going to die.
If that is so don't suppose q few days one way
or the other will make much difference to you.
/ want to go homo for day two about the
18th, but cannot get leave OF absence Now. il
you want 60 do me very great favor aud will
quit this life, say on the 12th get my
coveted leave of absence to take you home
sect But knew my man and he didn't die.
He got very angry instead, aud recovered, but
he declares to this day that it was my PROPOSE
ton that brought back his old stubborness and
gave him grit to fight for his life. He always
did object to being made mere convenience Of"