The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-10-20
wTa~ Grand rker@.a ,s;yas s~is .F1oTs ca
Nssd.ca Treatmo.at.


Col. Robert G. Ingersoll has his ideas
on doctors, aud physics, and medical
treatment, as we'll as on some other
subjects, and in connection with the
illness Of his friend, Mr.. Conkling, he
said to the New York Commercial Id
ceytiser:
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 way that
would make even Il well man sick and
ia 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 we'll and strong and use
full if be had more sunshine and fresh
air in bis room, or the odor of flowers
to Offset the smell of the drugs, and
smiling, hopeful countcnance about in
stead Of woo-begone visages, whose
every glance betokens the loss OF nope
and the belief in thespeedy dissolution
of the pain-racked patient
u had friend once named Haley,
royal good follow, of whom Thought
a great deal. On one occasion l re-
ceived word that my old friend was
diving and wanted to see me; so went
over to his house. I met his wife, and
she had face rs long as the moral
law and stem times more uncomforta-
BILE. Well, went in to see Haley,
and there he lay counting the moments
in a bitter fear thatseach would be the
last. | don't know what particular
disease he was 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
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 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 l
turned to his wife, and told her to
cheer mp, 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 said. You
all come in looking so sorrowful 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
aud again he said that my visit saved
his life.
.'On another occasion there was a
major in the army whom l knew very
well. He was taken i'll 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 l 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 l finished |
smile fitted across his face. After the
obituary read him a story Of something
that was supposed to have taken place
n wear after his funeral. 1t was a
description Of his widows second mar
riage. There were good many more
people at tho wedding than there were
at the funeral. Well, this treatment
had the effect to change the current of
Inc luaJol tIOuSSlltS. ~ OlOhc uP A1o
ha!lucinations, and he recovered and
did good service during the war, and
q happy life Tor years after.
''Ihcn there was man from my
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. saw Marcy and said to him:
Now, Marcy, you say you are going
10 die. II this is so / don't suppose q
few days one way or the other will
make much difference to you. want
To go home for day or two about the
18TH, but cacnc.. gatieave of absence.
Now, if you want to do me great ia
vor and will quit this life. say on the
II. can get my coveted leave of abb
sence to take you home-see?' But /
knew my man and he did not die. He
got very angry instead, but he declared
10 this day that it was my proposition
that brought back his old stubborn
aess and gave him grit to fight for his
life. lie always did object to being
nd /