New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-14
THE MAN WHO TAINTED.
SOME ASPECTS OF MEDICINE.


Professional jealousy rules throughout the universe
but nowhere is 1t moro rampant than among ply
scians and surgeons II crops out at all times ana
in all places and yet tie code OF ethics continues 10
prevail Ten days ago young man called on we'll
known dentist In st, and after several pain
full operations was persuaded part with two OF his
wisdom teeth. He qualed under the fear Of torture,
but refused 10 take gas The teeth werc extracted
and he went about his business
At s O'Clock In the afternoon OF the same day tho
young man sat down TO dine in Nash & Crooks
restaurant IN Park place He had taken one mouth
full of food when he tainted. His head fell forward
in his plate and lay there for more than two minutes
without attracting the attention Of a single guest
or waiter When he reganed consciousness and sat
up pcisriration streamed from his forehead and
trckled down his cheeks He looked at his watch.
to,k sip or two of coffee, paid his bin and left
the house, staggering from weakness. Returning to
his Office he worked there for five hours and started
for home about midnight with ravenous appetite,
which he determined to satisfy with an oyster stew
at O'Neilrs. No had he seated himself at the
table than he went off into another faint As on the
previous occasion he escaped notc, The stew
served In due time he disposed OF It and went home
Being unused TO the sensation Of fainting the young
concluded {" see physician. Armed with a
letter of Introduction he called next morning dis
tnguished specialist who lives In fashionable street
near Fifth-ave., and as time was precious
began to state bis case without walt
ing for inquiries. When he described the first
faintins scene tho doctor checked him and refused
70 listen fUitler Il can have nothing to 10 with
fainting PATIENTS the specialist said. They
not In my line. To 60 into your case would ro-
Qu're more study than l am disposed TO give It, and
/ must positively decline to take It up. treat
skin diseases. People don't fsint with their skin.
They faint with their brain. Go to some doctor
who makes q speciality Of brain troubles With
went in search OF a brain specialist He found one
not far away and retod his story, bringing in
every incident Of the day. long examination Of
his heart followed, and many pertinent questions
concerning his past life put and answered.
Then the doctor wrote = prescription, charging $50
for his pains. and showed the patient how reach
the street. With his hand on the doorknob he
turned to deliver parting sdmoniton
Perhaps you smoke too much,' he remarked. I" I
should suggest more limited Of the weed for
a while. Ii sometimes
Il don't smoke, doctor: never did In my nfe'
was the shocking reply The doctor caught his
breath.
Possibly you indulge . little freely at times IN
the use Of stimulants. An excess In that direction
often causes affections OF the heart and brain.
think
Don't drink . drop, doctor: never did in my
life"
Another fscer!
wine at each meal Your heart needs sreng thening,
you aware, and little stimulant Will do you
good Abstinence not infrcauently produces the same
troubles as excessive indulgence. Oh, err blythe way,
did the dentist upon whom you called yesterday
give you gas That may account for your"
He did not doctor. l refused to take gas
"Ah, indeedi Wei, er, good morning.
Another visit to the dentist was made next day,
and the occurrences of the two previous days were
rccounted
ITS a precious lucky thing for me- said the
dentist, that you didn't take gas. II you had l
should have been obliged TO bear the blame for your
fanfng. Did tho physician who examined you in
quire If you took gasl'
He did,
IL knew It. They always try to corner us that
way In order to hide their own ignorance. have
made q narrow escape
The prescription of the brain specialist was written
on blank form. which bore the printed name
and business address Of druggist in Thirty fourth-s
This was not meant as an Endorsement of that par
ticular druggist II is the custom of all compounders
of prescriptions TO keep the medical profession SUP.
Piled with pads Of blank forms bearing their ad-
verlisement. There tricks In all trades In the
matter Of attracting public attention the druggist
is not far behind the retail dry goods man.
Tho dentists in this city divided into two
parties one for maintaining inviolate the present
code of ethics, and The other for reforming IT,
conservative party is comprised chiefly of men
OF the old school, men 10 whom professional courtesy
is of higher importance that silver ccrtifcaes Most
of the reformers are young men who prefer dollars
10 doughnus. The two elements 81 war on the
subject Of the patentability OF modern inventions in
denial surgery The conse ives contend thar
under the code all inventions are made for tho good Of
humanity thai patents restrict The use OF inven ions
and conequsn humanity s snSS NJ s b r,oTers
If a dentist spends ten years In p,rfecng in
yention he Is entitled TO all he make OF IL.
The name of Bohnwie occurs ofie1 In he discussions
ON the subject He Is a refOrmsr Of the refOrmers
Tie little machine that stands beside the chair Of
every dentist In Chrstendom Is mainly the CREATION Of
his Inventive genius, and he has reaped hbe al
reward Of $50 900 from the patent. Yet nc one
say that he has not benefited humanity.
A TRTFLE LATE IN THE SEASON