Morning journal and courier., 1889-07-11
"began his medical career the fstss

seemed to smile on him. From the time he
entered Edinburgh university he was reeog.
nized as man of genius, and the great emi-
nence to which he has raised himself was
confidently predicted both BY his professors
and his fellow students. He knew that
few years after he graduated a professors
chair would be waiting for him, and In the
still more distant future were visions Of
wealth and honors incalculable. Suddenly 1t
was reported through Edinburgh that Nc
Donald. the promising young surgeon, was
suffering from nervous prostration, and
then the news followed that he had thrown
aside his brilliant career and would prao-
true. One night Mcdonald went home an
enthusiastic surgeon, and when next seen
he was evidently borne down by some great
secret grief, and the very mention of a sur
gical operation seemed to fill him with
horror. He went abroad, and for five
years he remained a wanderer without oo-
cupstion. Then he was persuaded to re-
turn and resume his profession.
"In the days when the present Sir George
was plain DR.. Mcdonald science had not
taken the immense strides which it has
since. The seekers after great truths were
still groping in darkness. Viviseotion was
then practically unknown, and the only
means medical men had of throwing light
on mysterious deaths was by dissection.
The bodies of the unfortunates who died
in prison, or in the public wards of the
hospitals, were the only ones legally OBJ
tainable, and as these were far too few to
supply the demand, grave robbing was
resorted to and big prices were paid by
surgeons and medical students for dead
bodies.
conc afternoon, as DR.. Mcdonald was
leaving the lecture hall of the university,
he was approached by well known pur--
veyor of subjects and told that a man had
died suddenly the day before of what was
certain consideration the body might be OBJ
tanned. After few minutes conversation
Mcdonald walked on and the puryeyor hur-
ried off.
'That night, just as the moon was rising
over the tops of the Edinburgh houses, an
apparently empty wagon, with two men on
the seat, drove up to DR.. McDonald's house.
After a careful look about one of the men
gave low whistle, and almost Immediately
window on the ground floor was opened.
Against this window the wagon was backed,
and the two men lifted long, heavy object,
| wrapped in sheet, and passed 1t into the
| house. The sound of money changing hands
| followed; then the window. was closed and
the wagon drove away.
"In lifting the heavy bundle the wrap
pings had been disturbed, and when DIR. Nc
Donald turned from closing the window the
moonlight was shining on the placid face of
| a corpse. Quickly he lit number of lights
| and then drew a heavy curtain. From one
side of the room he pushed long table, on
| which were dark stains, showing that it had
been used many times before. On this he
lifted his purchase and carefully examined
it. It was the body Of man in the prime
| of life, and except that 'rigor mortis' hao
| set in, and that every joint was like bar o.
1al oroh ha ua r.
asleep There were no signs of wasting dis
ease His face was full, and, except for iti
CHASTITY pallor, looked as 1t did in life. Il
l was evident the man had died suddenly, ane
| heart disease was the doctors specially
From q chest Mcdonald brought his instru
ments and glasses, his little basins ane
sponges, and laid them out in order by tn
side of the corpse. The subject died O.
heart disease, and 80 the heart was the par
| to be examined.
"Just as his knife touched the man
breast DR.. Mcdonald sprang back with
startled look Was it possible that the eye
lids had quivereda No; it was only som
passing draught which had made the ligh
flicker over the dead face, but still he woul
make sure. There was no pulse, everythin
: proved the man was dead beyond perad
| venture. Then he proceeded with his dis
! | section. Slowly and carefully he remove
the outer skin. Then two ribs and part {
: | the breast bone were taken out and lai
/, aside. At last the diseased heart, which he
Q been the cause of death, lay revealed.
| this had taken time and the doctor was hui
cry. He put his instruments aside an
from a closet produced a lunch, which
, ate, throwing occasional glances at the bod
8 on the table. When he had finished he r
4 sumed his work The heart to be propsrl
) examined must be removed, and this he prt
. | ceeded to do. He cut round the great orgs
| of life, and was about to take it from tt
body when he chanced to look up. The
slowly, and as if every movement was
= physical torture, he Strengthened himsel
. The hair on his head began to rise and b
| eyes were riveted on the face of the subjec
Z The last time he noticed the face the eye
> | were closed, and it was the expressionlei
D face of the dead-now all was changed
| The eyes were open and were glaring at hi
| with horrible expression of reproaoh. 1
8 the same instant the body on the table ro
o to sitting posture, and the perfect stillne
t of the room seemed broken by single viii
8 | pered word Murderer
4, "With his eyes glued to the mutilate
9 form, DR. Mcdonald staggered back until
v felt the wall behind him and eould retreat
r further For fully two seconds those ey
elared at the DOCTOR and the air seemed
d resound with that awful accusation. In tn
: time he realized that the man never hi
o been dead, and had known and felt eve
10 event of that horrible night. Then the m
y tisted body fell back. Shrek after shri
3 filled the house. The sleeping famil
: awakened by this dreadful noise, rushe
# down They found DR.. Mcdonald just on
side his office door, with his arms stretch
% out, barring the passage. Don't go inl do,
+" go IMP he shrieked, and then fell insensib
: Before daylight the same two men back
their wagon against the doctors windo
y and the bundle, wrapped in sheet, "
h passed out to them, but DR.. Mcdonald "
b delirius up stairs.