The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-08-08
FEARFUL SIGHT.
i Horrible Story Of the Dissection Of a
Lining Body.
A Noted Physician Tells Of the Inci-
aonl which LED SIR George Mac
Donald 90 Drop surgery.

him medical gentleman, who, besides
bis great knowledge Of medicine, was q
flrst-elass Taconteaur, says the atlanta
Constitution. He amused the Dukes
party with many anecdotes Of English
celebrities. One day he told the follow
ing story to explain why Sir George Mac
Donald, the celebrated surgeon, had Civ
en- up the practice Of his profession fol
Eve years, just when FIVE years practice
was most valuable to him:
''when Sir George Mcdonald" he
said, "began the practice Of surgery the
fates seem 10 smile on him. From the
time he entered Edinburgh university he
was recognized as q man Of genius, and
the great cminence to which he has rails
ed himself was confidently predicted
both by his professors and his fellows,
He knew that few years after be gradu'
ated o professional chair would be wait.
ing for him, and in the still more distant
future, were visions Of honor and wealth
incalculable. Suddenly, it was reported
through Edinburgh that Mcdonald, the
promising young surgeon, was suffering
from nervous prostratiOn, and then the
news followed that he had thrown aside
his Brilliant career and would practice his
profession no more. The news was true.
One night Mcdonald went home an en-
thusiaslic surgeon. When next seen, he
was evidently borne down by some secret
grief, and the mention Of q surgical oper.
alton seem to gil him with horror. He
went abroad and for five years he remain
Cd wanderer without occupation. Then
he was persuaded to return to Edinburgh
and resume his profession.
'In the days when the present Sir
George was plain Dr.. Mcdonald, science
had not taken the immense strides which
Il has since. The seekers after great
truths were still cropping in darkness.
vivisection was then practically un-
known, ahd the only means men had o.
throwing light on mysterious deaths was
by dissection. The bodies Of the unfor-
tunates who died in prison, or in the pub
lie wards Of the hospitals, were the only
ones legally obtainable. As these were
far too few 10 supply the demand, grave
rObbing was resorted to and big prices
were paid by medical students and sur.
eoons for dead bodies.
"one afterhgon e d.. Mcdonald was
leaEing ne lecture hall Of the university
be va npproaehed BY = well known pur'
veyor q subjects and told that man
had died suddenly the day before Of what
was supposed to be- heart disease and tol
. certain consideration the body NIGH
be obtained. AFTER q few minutes con
versation Mcdonald walked on and TIT
puFveyor fastened of to attend to hi
ghastly business
rhat night, Just as the moon was ris
ing above the tops Of the Edinburgh
houses, IN apparently empty wagon, viii
tWo n@ onthe seat, drove up to DT
McDonald's house. Alter careful lool
about, one Of the men gave low whistle
and almost Immediately window on tn
ground floor was opened. Against thi
window the wagon was backed, and tn
two men lifted . long, heavy object
wrapped In . sheet, and passed 1t int
the house. The sound Of money chang
ing hands followed; then the windoV
was closed and the wagon drove away,
I'm lifting ne heavy bundle the wrap
pings h=i been disturbed and when Dr.
Mcdonald turned from closing the win
dow the moonlight was shining on th'
pallid face Of a corpse. Quickly he lit
number OF lights and then drew a heavy
curtain. From one side Of the room h
pushed . long table, on which were darl
stains, showing that Il had been uset
many times before. On this he lifted hi
purchase and carefully examined It. Il
was the body Of q man il
the prime OF life, and excep
that 'Tigor norris had set In and tina
every joint was like bar OF iron the maj
looked - though he were asleep. Their
were no signs Of wasting disease Hi
face was full and except for It's ghastl.
pallOF looked as Il did in life. II was evi
dent the man had died suddenly, ant
heart disease was the doctors specially
From q chest Dr.. Mcdonald brought hi
instruments and glasses, his little basin