Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-10-22
CHAPTER Xxx.
Just a Word From Philbrick.

duScI al L IOlSSSOI la WIN
still stood in the background, and
asked in an unsteady voice:
Is either of you gentlemen ply
sician?"
We both are" responded the one
who had previously spoken. He
drew back little. as if he had caught
a dangerous CLEAN in the doctors
eyes.
Don't make any mistake, Mason"
whispered the constable, anxiously;
they've got the papers all ready,
and there's nothing wrong about it."
Dr. Williams paid no attention to
Hawkins.
Il am practitioner in regular
standing" he said. Il don't know
either of you"
He did not bulge from the door, and
he did not look as if he intended to-.
We are physicians in good stand
ing also" returned the spokesman of
he pair. Il presume you will not
doubt our assurance to that effect
Il repeat that | do not know you"
Then" exclaimed the spokesman,
clustering, ALI we can do is to re-
quire the officer of the law to cause
you to vacate that door. Constable,
we require an entrance here"
Hawkins looked appealingly at the
doctor.
Don't be foolish Mason" he plead
ed
There's no hurry, constable" said
the doctor. Gentlemen, if you are
what you purport to be, you can east
ly satisfy me of the fact, and in no
manner more easy or natural than
by according me the usual courtesies
that maintain between physicians. l
am in charge here Of patient who is
seriously ill. 1t is not the part of
good physicians, on ex parte evidence,
to invade a sick room, and by con-
fusion and alteration bring about
possible complication or aggravation
of the disorder from which the patient
suffers. | am not going to resist the
law when the law is properly applied"
The strangers looked embarrassed,
and turned to the professor.
of course" said one of them, I'VE
prefer to act in concert with the fam
lily physician. ! think, Pro-
fessor Drumond, 1t was little hasty
to come up here without warning DR..
Williams"
Il hadn't the slightest idea that DR..
Williams would interpose any objec-
lection" responded the professor, un-
easily, " to physicians called by me
to assist in the case"
This is the first I've heard Of
consulting physicians, said DR.. Will
liams. Il made no request for con-
sultation, although | should welcome
one if approached in decent spirit.
| am ready, nay, anxious, to present
the details of the case to any recog
uized physicians and to listen to their
counsel concerning it,"
Perhaps we shall avoid a disagree
able misunderstanding" suggested
the second stranger, IF we discuss
the matter away from the sick room. |
do not understand that DR.. Williams
makes any final objection to our see
ing the patient"
Far from it." returned DR.. Will
Iiams, promptly; Il claim a right to
know what is going on, that's all"
Well" exclaimed the professor,
with show of anger, We'll settle the
matter soon enough, and the less fuss
about it the better, l suppose. Come
down stairs, gentlemen"
The strangers started readily and
the doctor left the chamber, closing
the door, and followed them. Pro-
fessor Drummond showed them into
the dining room. Louise and Phil
brick left it by a window and went to
the piazza when the party entered.
ITO begin with introductions, Dr.
Williams" said the professor, these
gentlemen are Drs. Robinson and
Morse. from the town of Marshall"
Dr. Williams bowed and the party
gathered about the table.
Il am sorry" began DR.. Morse,
that we unwittingly appeared to in-
trude upon DR.. Williams. 1t was no
Uart of my desire to interfere with
duOlhSI uIJllloiCls hAIH1ioSooN SA'AN
the physician in charge was in ac-
cord with Professor Drummond's
views"
II don't know what Professor
Drummond's views are" said DR.. Will
liams II haven't asked them. | know
that up 10 date the patient has said
and done nothing to indicate mental
alteration"
Circumstances that / needn't de-
tail, put in the professor, with an
awkward attempt at his bland and
masterful demeanor, have made it
mp 1sslDle for the doctor and myself
/. become wholly familiarized with
one another's views. Dr. Williams is
IN exceptionally competent and faith
full man He came to the patient
wnen she was in what l may call
physical distress, and his attention
has been wholly absorbed ever since
in ministering solely to her physical
malady."
You don't know what you are talk