The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-04-15
SURPRISED IN A DocToR's OFFICE.
Other Startling Things Than Skeletons

Other Startling Things Than Skeletons
Sometimes Found in Closets
A peaceful and unoffensive citizen
was seated one evening in a doctors
Office in neighboring city. He had
called on professional business, but
that had been disposed of, and as the
doctor seemed to be in no hurry he
fingered for friendly chat, although
disturbed at intervals by the suspicion
that perhaps the amount of his bill might
be gauged by the length Of the visit.
In moving about the Office looking for
some little article which he desired, the
doctor at length threw open the door
of cabinet which occupied the space
in the upper part of one corner of the
room. The visitor opened his eyes in
wonder.
1t was not q skeleton upon which
his gaze fell. Do not be alarmed, gen.
tie reader. There was nothing SO hor-
rible to be disclosed-at least, in that
closet. No, the lights of the chande-
lier fell upon what looked like cross
section Of the armory room of a medi-
@val castle. There was a multitude of
glistening objects, all bearing some re-
semblance to some portion of the hu-
man anatomy divine II they were
arlnor, surely this was arlnor with
modern improvements, for these OBJ
jects-whether of tin or silver or plati-
NUN, or of whatever metal composed
were perforated after the manner OF
the seats in the cabins of New York
feryboats Perforated arInor would
seem, however, to have certain draw
backs, along with whatever advan-
tages the perforations might secure.
It is believed that in the times when
armor was more common than it ID
nowadays, the perforated variety would
not have commanded SO good price
in the market as that which was war.
ranted to keep out air as well as ar
rows, spears and other unpleasant
things.
The visitor, as has been implied
opened his eyes in wonder. and like
wise expressed his wonder by means o
wondering exclamation. The docto
himself took glance and laughed.
THAT looks like portion Of tn,
Tower of London" said the other.
The doctor laughed again. 1T look
worse than I thought" he remarked
1.-THE fact is there have been some pu
in there without my knowledge, an,
they are not arranged precisely as the.
ought to be. don't know that eve
saw them in the full blaze of the gas
light before, and l didn't know jus
how formidable an appearance the!
presented"
Il hope" said the visitor, that yol
are not in the habit of suddenly open
ing that cabinet and springing thai
show upon your unsuspecting pa
tients."
The doctor laughed once more. "De
cidedly not" was the reply, and in re
sponse to the visitors questions he ex
planned what the cabinets content
were.
They were ''splints" for use in fract
ures, and the doctor said that his col
lection contained at least one of ever,
possible fracture that could occur Il
the human bones Splints are mad
Of various substances; sometimes fel
is used, being nodded into the prope
shapes, but the most approved splint
are made Of thin copper covered witt
tin. They are perforated in order t.
provide for ventilation and are bOtl
} flexible and rigid, and are said to Civ
great comfort to those who are com
, PEELED to use such things.
The doctors visitor had had no ex
, perience with fractures or splints, an,
confessed that he did not want to hav
any. He might have confessed, thougl
he did not, that in his mind splints 70
q broken bone had always been assc
ciated with such splints as baskets ar
made of, and he had never thought G
! modern improvements in connection
with them. But we all live and learn
If we didn't what would the worl
come to2-New York Tribune.