The Wilmingtonian., 1888-08-25
Doctor Ingersoll.


Col. Robert G. Ipgersoll has his ideas on
doctors, and physics, and medical treatment
as we'll as on some other subjects.
'There is altogether too much gloom
about most sick chambers" said he. "Peo-
pie tip-toe in and out, and wear long faces,
and act generally in way that would make
even well man sick, and is bound to make
sick man worse l believe many man
has been hurried across the dark river by
this horrible, soul-depressing treatment who
might have become well, and strong, and
useful, if he had more sunshine and fresh
air in his room, or the odor of flower to off
set the smell Of the Drugs, and smiling, hope
full countenances about, instead of woe-be-
gone visages, whose every glance betoken
the loss Of hope and the belief in the speedy
dissolution of this 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 to his house. met his wife
and she had face as long as the moral law
and ten times more uncomfortable. Well,
| went to see Haley, and there he lay count
ing the moments in bitter fear that each
would be the last. don't know what par
ticular disease he was trouble with, but
either that or the medicine had turned him
a vivid saffron color. Haley" said l, "I'll
be hanged if I'd want to die with such a
complexion as that. You would be in a
pretty plight to go incoming about the other
| world looking like Chinaman.' l went on
| for few minutes when the poor fellow
began to enter into the spirit of the subject
| himself, and l showed him his face in a
looking glass, and that brought a smile.
| Then turned to his weeping wife and told
her to cheer up, that Haley was not going
| to die that he was good for twenty years to
come.
"'The trouble with your husband is that
he is scared to DEATH" 1 said. You all
come in looking so downoast and sorrowfu
that you give him the impression that he i,
done for and take away all his courage tt
fight against his sickness"
"Wen, the result of all this was tha
Haley commenced to mend, and time anC
again since then he has said that my visi
saved his life.
"On another occasion there was a Majo
in the army, whom knew very well. HI
was taken ill and believed he was going t.
die. believed he was merely homesick, o.
something of that sort. Well, 1 wrote hi
obituary and went to see him in his tent.
"'Major, said, you are SO sure of dyinI
that have written your obituary and wan
to read it to you He protested, but KEEP
on with the reading and detailed ever
pleasant incident of his life. Before fin
ished smile fitted across his face. Afte
the obituary read him a story of something
. that was supposed to have taken place
A year after his funeral. 1t was descTiptio
of his widows second marriage. Ther
were good many more people at the wee
j ding than at the funeral. Well, this treat
n ment had the effect to change the current
the Majors thoughts. 1t broke up hi
hallucinations, and he recovered aud di
good service during the war, aud lived
happy life for years afte:.
|
n named Marcy. He got it into his head tina
n he was going to die. At that time no OF
A. was allowed to leave the army for visit
the North, except on sick leave, or occasion
ally to accompany the remains of dea
ot comrade. 1 saw Marcy and said to hir
'e Now, Marcy, you say you are going to d
70 If that is SO don't suppose that few da
one way or the other will make much diffe
ence to you. want to go home for a di
or two about the 18th, but cannot get lea
OF Of absence. Now, If you want to do me
p, very great favor and quit this life, say
the 18th, 1 can get my coveted leave
absence to take you home-see? Aut
knew my man and he didn't de. He s
~ very angry instead, and recovered, but
: declares to this day that it was my propc
VI tion that brought him back his old stubbo
1t ness and gave him grit to fight for his Ii
an He always did object to being made M
convenience Of"