The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-28
SCENES AT PAsTEUR INSTITUTE.
Now the Patients Act while Receiv-
ing tho TWO InocuiatIons.


Everything being prepared, and the
doctor having taken his seat, the pa
tients were called in, one after the other,
the children being allowed to be accom-
panied by their parents. The sight Of
The delicate little syringe with its needle
like point has an effect on most of the
patients as they approach and present
themselves, but they have no time To
give way to reflection, and the puncture
is over almost before they feel the main.
Children, Of course, squeal before az
well as after, but they soon forget IL.
Ihere was one exception, which
aroused the admiration of both the doc
TOR and his assistants, little as thew are
accustomed to display their feelings. It
was that OF fair haired, well dressed
girl OF six or seven years. "Now, mind
you, be good girl, and don't make the
doctor cross" said her father. "Oh, no,
papa, l will show you that I am big
girl now" And so she did. She under
went two punctures without so much as
vince, and then kissed the doctor, say
ing, 'Merci, mon bon petit medecin."
A young lady from Portugal was also
courageous, and even smiled as the doc
tor applied the syringe firmly but ten
derby; she likewise expressed her graft
tude, and her broken French seemed to
make it all the more touching. All the
ladies, however, were not such good pa
tients. One, stout person from the
country, kicked and shrieked as If she
were being killed. Another half tainted
as the syringe pricked her. But these
were exceptional cases, and the majority
of the women behaved themselves re-
markably well. The men were natu-
rally bound to be more valiant, but even
here some amusing exceptions occurred.
One Of the Piedmontese, villainous
looking fellow of the brigand type, who.
appeared to be devoid Of all feeling,
threw himself into the assistants hands
groaning. "Come, come" said the doc
tor, "stand up, and don't make an ass of
yourself" He stood up pale and trem-
bling, but after the first puncture he
again groaned, and had to be supported
for the second. He left the room speed
lily and ashamed Of himself.
He was followed by an agricultural
idUOI6r 1rtSH lrOu us village. he ar
rived late, having lost himself on the
road. The doctor reprimanded him in a
good natured way. "But you won't hurt
me, will you" he asked, as he glanced at
the syringe, which was mystery to him.
But ere he could make out what it was
he felt it. "Oh, myp he cried, with an
oath, "that's enough! let me gor But
the strong arm of the assistant was on
him, and he resigned himself to the Sec
ond puncture with better grace, and
went away with his curiosity satisfied.
repeat that these were exceptional
cases only, and once the operation over,
all admitted it was comparatively pain
less, and not half so had as they had
imagined.
The operation, however, is not devoid
of danger to the doctor and his assistants.
One accident happened. A muscular
youth was undergoing his second pune
ture when, in spite of himself, he made
a sudden move and jerked out the
syringe, which pricked the hand of the
assistant who was holding him, thereby
inoculating him with the virus, SO it is a
question whether he will not have to
undergo treatment himself