The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-16

irregular; respiration labored aud painful !;
body remarkably emaoated for length OF sick
| ness.
Noted other symptoms which need no! DO
| given.)
Dr. Briggan. in rather an arrogant manner.
and by the aid of questions from Drs. Manning
and Num- stated history of case:
Patient in full health; attacked about ono
week previously with loss of appetite, nausea,
diarrhoa, bleeding at nose, extreme thirst, slight
cough. fever Of remttent type, abdominal
| pain at intervals. Symptoms had gradually in
creased till they had assumed present form.
Gave il as his opinion that it was a case of
malignant typhoid fever. This was seconded
emphaticaly by DR. Num-"
Manning saw nothing absolutely at variance
with this opinion, though there were some UNI
usual symptoms.
How do you account for the laboTed breath
ing aud cough? ?" he inquired
"Prosiration, sir, prOstration," said Briggan
in pompous tone.
Certainly" echoed Mum in a lighter key;
"a cough is not unusual in these cases, | be-
lieve."
The two doctors exchanged with each other
n mutual glance OF contempt for the young
doctors question. DIR. Briggan was a portly
man with q smooth face, close-cropped hair,
and lower jaw protruding, while his echo was
tall, thin, with quiCk-moying eyes, bald head
and full, very black beard.
The manner of both toward Manning was
decidedly insulting. He kept his temper, how
ever and having made careful notes of the con-
sultatiOn, took the valuable invention of Prof.
Laennec from its case and proceeded to examine
the patients chest.
This appeared 10 change the contempt of the
pair into anger, for il either of them had heard
of the stethoscope they knew nothing of its
use and the discovery of such ignorance in
each others eyes afforded no consolation.
well, yOung man. what is your opinion in
this case, sir2 Have you any2 Como, put away
your paythings and talk to the point, sir"
This from the heavy doctor in very insolent
tone.
"Yes. directness, directness." said the echo.
These remarks treasured them, for they ex-
changed another glance Of mingled sympathy
for each other and contempt for the young
doctor.
"If you will please state the treatment"
said he calmly, Il will give you my pinion."
What has the treatment 10 do with the
case nOw?" said Briggan in evident rage.
. Bad treatment" said Manning, looking di-
rectly into the portly doctors eyes, always
aEgravates disease, and in n case such as you
deGominate this, would naturally bring about
the worst symptoms at an carly stage" In his
examination. he had found the lungs intensely
cougostod. a complication which he was puzzled
TO explain, unless caused by the use OF some
irriiaut in the treatment
The heavy man was in violent rage: the
color left his face; no clenched his hands con-
vulsyely and rose to his feet.
Manning pointed to the sick-bed TO remind
him of his situation.
lyon idiotic upstartl Would you question
my ireztment?"
The husband of the unfortunate lady, n florid-
cOmpleXioued Saxon. made deprecatory gest-
ure with his hand and blew out little puts of
air-yery inadequate measures, as IL seemed TO
Manning, for soothing the monster. The ladies,
the mother and sister of the sick woman, en-
tered the room sobbjng.
AT this Briggan assumed lower tone of
voice as be went on.
"S'pose ! refuse 10 give You the treatment2
you" aud he checked himself
Very we'll /" said Manning, will so report
il in The Journal"
Munn came 20 the rescue. "Aro you
regular physican2" he sQueaked al mean,
have you parchment from any regler college
OF mediciue2 OF course no regler physician
would feel himself called to state his treatment
10 a quack."
Briggan revived. "Yes. show ms your parch.
ment young man, and I'll give you the treat
ment"
The young physician glanced at the bed.
The wasted arm Of the patient lay exposed.
There were baBdagos around both. A thought
struck him; he made guess at the treatment,
and guessed right.
I" As Tor my authority TO practice medicine"
said he, " have parchment. as you term il,
IN my Office. IL you doubted my professional
character, why did YOU send for me. TO insult
me? II 50, you could have chosen a more
fitting place. And now, since you will not
state your treatment TO me, will state it to
you. You have BLEED the patient daily aud
administered 20 grains Of mercury. As for the
bleeding. you might AS we'll have given the
patient poison. The mercury, / believe, Is sup
ported 10y good authority in genuine typhoid"
The husband at this juncture. to the great
surprise Of the physicians tainted outright.
Mum and maid -seryant ran TO his aid. Brig
gan did not regard the circumstance, be was
90 angry.
IN pay you for this" he exclaimed with
an oath, addressing Manning; you dovilish,
sneaking quack."
e ask no pay" said the latter coolly +"
have given you no advice. though you cyi-
IDENTIFY need IL; shall /. unless you demand
/ u. j shall, however, report the facts In this
case 10 my friend, DIR. l., Of Boston"
At the mention OF the distinguished physi-
| clans name he said not q word merely glared.
/ Manning subsequently learned that DIR. l.
had been summoned to the consultation. but
had recommended the young physician in his
| stead.
| DR. Manning left the house in rather an ex-
| cited state Of mind, aud returned % bis Office
/ There lay the tools aud instruments which he
was 70 have employed ia securing a subject
/ The thought entered his mind might he not
! secure the body of Mrs StTykcrg-a thought
WHICH he refused 10 entertain for an instant
! but discarded though II had been direct
einauatiOn from the devil
In fact he now felt completely disguised
/ with his graveyard project, resolved 10 lay
! - aside aud write 20 his friend l. 10 secure
| him n subject. Accordingly he opened the
! trap carried his tools into the room above
! lighted cigar, and went to his lodgings
| That night the poor lady died. The funeral
was 90 occur on the second day, Thursday.
! Manning wrote out a report on Wednesday of
| the previous nights consultation for his friend
| -. but said nothing about procuring a
| subject. The thought had again occurred TO
! him that he might secure the corpse Of Mrs
| Strykcr. and again he had discarded il in dis
gust. lie felt extremely irritable and out OF
| sorts that day. When Mira. Lnmfn his land
| lady, told him that the body OF the deceased WAS
| 60 far decomposed that they would not open
the coffin again, she must have noticed hig
agitation.
de took restorativeg, but passed an exceed
! ingiy uncomfortable night. He dreamt he
was holding an interview with q monster toad
aud a snake which had long, slender legs. Then
the TOAD changed into a corpse. and the scr
pent Kissed aud opened its Jaws wide 10 swallow
! nightmare. but was powerless 10 discard IL.
lie a~oke late the following morning and
iOnnd himself ia a cool perspiration aud the
room Ia great disorder. Mrs. Lumm remarked
as he ate his toast, that he looked pale, aud