The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-31
DR.. INCERSOLL,
Ths Grand Skeptie Gives His Views on
Medical Treatment.

Medical Treatment.
Col. Robert G. Ingersoll 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 to the New York Commercial Id
TertiSer:
There is altogether to much gloom
about most sick-chambers," he said.
People tip-toe in and about, with long
faces, and act generally in a way that
would make even a well man sick and
is bound TO make a sick man worse |
believe many man has been hurried
across the dark river by this horrible,
soul-depressing treatment, who might
have become well and strong and use
full 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, hopeful countenance about in
stead of woe-begone visages, whose
every glance betOkens the loss of hope
and the belief in the speedy dissolution
of the pain-racked patient.
81 had a friend once named Haley, a
royal good follow, of whom thought
a great deal. On one occasion | re-
eeiyed word that my old friend was
dying and wanted to see me; so went
over to his house. | met his wife, and
she had face as long as the moral
law and ten times more uncomforta-
BILE. Well, | went in to see Haley,
and there he lay counting the moments
in bitter fear that each would be the
last. L don't know what particular
disease hewas troubled with, but either
that or the medicine had turned him
vivid saffron color. Haley | said, I'll
be hanged if I'd want to die with such a
complexion as that. You would be in
pretty plight tog gomooning about the
other world looking like a Chinaman.'
l went on for a 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 that brought smile. Then |
turned to his wife, and told her to
cheer up. that Haley was not going to
die; that he was good for twenty years
to cone.
1.-The trouble with your husband is
that he is scared to death, said You
all come in looking SO soIrOwful that
you give him the impression that he is
done for and take away all his courage
to fight against his sickness.
''Well, the result of all this was that
Haley commenced to mend, and time
and again he 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 to die. l believe he was
simply homesick, or something of that
sort. Well, wrote his obituary and
went to see him in his tent.
"'Major,' said, you are so sure of
dying that have written your obitu-
airy and want to read it TO YOU He
protested, but went on with the read
ing, and detailed every pleasant incl
dent of his life. Before I finished a
smile fitted across his face After the
obituary read him story of something
that was supposed to have taken place
a year after his funeral. 1t was a
description of his widows second mar
riage. There were good many more
people at the wedding than there were
at the funeral. Well, this treatment
had the effect to change the current of
the majors thoughts. 1t broke up his
hallucinatiOns, and he recovered and
did good service during the war, and
happy life for years after.
"Then there was a man from nv
town named Marcy. He got it into his
head that he was going to die. At
that time no one was allowed to leave
the army for visit to the north, ex-
cept on sick leave, or occasionally to
accompany the remains of dead COM
rade. l saw Marcy and said to him:
Now, Marcy, you say you are going
to die. If this is so l don't suppose a
few days one way or the other will
make much difference TO you. | want
to go home for a day or two about the
18th, but cannot get leave of absence.
Now, if you want to do me a great ia
vor and will quit this life. say on the
II, can get MY coveted leave of alb
sence to take you hOme-see?' But l
knew my man and he did not die. He
got very angry instead, but he declared
to this day that it was my proposition
that brought back his old stubborn
ness and gave him grit to fight for his
life. He always did object to being
made a mere convenience Of"