Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-09-15
A LITTLE MISTAKE.

a LII LIZ liIe L AM.
That doctors commit mistakes is not
generally Known, although cases from
time to time fnd their way into the
newspapers. DR.. Carpenter, who may
be said to have introduced the scientific
study Of human physiology into Eng
land, burned himself to death while at
tempting to take a Turkish bath in his
own room by enveloping himself in a
blanket and sitting over spirit lamp.
However, when u man poisons himself
it is his own peculiar business which is
involved but when he takes to poison
ing others, not with any malicious in
tent, but simply in error, a natural APP
prehension may we'll pervade the public
mind. Protection in the matter is ex-
tremely simple, as the following nara
tive will show:
About O'Clock ON n June evening a
victoria drawn by pair of high step
ping bay horses drove up to celebrat-
ed chemists shop in Bond street, and
an elegantly dressed lady of about 20
years of age descended from the carriage.
She walked hurriedly through the shop
into the dispensing department, and,
throwing piece of paper on the coun-
ter, said:
''Please make up this prescription
and send it ut once. would wait and
take it myself, but am just going out
to dinner. 1t is very important.
The assistant bowed, took up the pre-
scription and then seemed to hesitate.
I'll , ft,ol la1r- who rofp6
of highly nervous, irritable disposi-
ton, ''well, what is the matter?'
ct am afraid, madam, returned the
assistant, ''that L cannot dispense this
prescription.
"Oh, nonsense!" replied the lady.
''That is what they said at - in
Mayfair, so 1 brought it on here. L sup
pose Dr. Blank knows what he pre-
scribes. F"
Doubtless, madam; but, although
DR.. Blank is one of the most eminent of
his profession, dare not make up this
prescription, as the strength at which
the drug is here ordered is not allowed
by the British pharmacopGia. 7"
ooh, nonsenseP' repeated the lady,
commencing to patter ON the floor with
her small foot ''This is monstrous.
Here is my husband waiting for medi-
cine of the utmost Importance to his
condition, and two chemists assistants
think they know better what is good for
him than one of the leading men of the
College of Physicians. Give me the pre-
scription, and 1 will get it prepared
elsewhere - The assistant was Ioath to
part with the paper.
eff you will allow me, madam" he
said, 'sI will take cab to DIR. Blanks,
and if he confirms tho prescription 1
will then prepare it. y
"No, 1 will not, 4" returned the lady,
who was now in state of extreme irri-
tation. 81 will not My husband is in a
serious condition, and shall be late for
dinner. 1 have already lost half an
hour, and cannot have further delay"
With that she snatched up the prescrip-
ton and hurried out.
The assistant was seriously perturbed
The mistake in the prescription was a
grave one-so grave indeed that the adj
ministration Of n single dose would
probably prove fatal within two hours.
1t was possible that some young or in
experienced assistant ut some small
chemists, overawed by the great name
of the physician and by the lady's inn
perious manner and elegant attire and
equipage, would be found to dispense
it. Then trouble would ensue, which
might be stopped now. Thinking thus,
the assistant told his fellow worker in
the dispensary that he would go to DR.
Blanks, and, hu1rying into Bond street,
jumped into the first passing hanson,
and in five minutes was ringing the bell
of the doctors house in Harley street.
The footman who opened the door said
DR.. Blank was out.
''Where was he?"
Really the footman did not know.
"very important, was it:''
All! Well, then, he (the footman)
must inquire. This he leisurely proceed
ed to do. And the chemists assistant,
who was of an imaginative turn, amused
himself by picturing meanwhile the
death of the patient; the professional
ruin of himself, the Mayfair chemist
and the great physician; the grief and
self reproach of the lady, who, despite
her wayward, irritable and careless de-
meanor, was evidently fond of her hus-
band And he had already arrived at the
coroner's jury verdict of manslaughter
when the footman returned with the in
telligence that his master was dining in
Mazda Vale. The cab soon whirled the
erTant knight of the pestle and mortar
into the Edgeware road and drew up at
one of the large houses which lie on the
right hand side of Mazda Vale immedi-
ately after passing the canal Dinner
was evidently in full progress. and the
footman showed the assistant into an
anteroom with no very good grace. Here
another wait occurred, which preyed on
the already irritated nerves Of our
friend even more than the previous one
at Harley street. At last the door opened,
and the doctor entered. He WAS dap
per little man, about feet . in height
with pale, thin face and hair and mus
taehe the color of tow. His clear, steel
blue gray eyes saved his appearance from
being insignificant. He looked inquir-'
ingIy at the assistant, who, Rowing, said =
lam dispenser, sir, at Messrs- -.
At about O'Clock this evening lady,
bIrs. -, presented prescription