Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-10-09
A LITTLE MISTAKE.

generally known, although cases from
time TO time find their way into the
DR.. Carpenter, who may
DO 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 Soom by enveloping himself in a
blanket and Sitting over a spirit lamp.
However, when q 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 ap-
p~rehension may we'll pervade the public
mind. Protection in the matter is ex-
tremely simple, as the following nara
tive will show:
About 8 O'Clock OF a juno evening n
victoria drawn by a pair Of high stop
ping bay horses drove up to n celebrat-
ed chemists shop in Bond street, and
an elegantly dressed lady of about 30
years of ago descended from the carriage.
She walked hurriedly through the shop
into the dispensing department, and,
throwing a piece Of paper on the coun-
ter, said:
"Please make up this prescription
and send it at once. 1 would wait and
take it myself, but 1 am just going out
to dinner. 1t is very important.
The assistant bowed, took up the pre-
scription and then seemed to hesitate.
Well, " said the lady, who seemed
of n highly nervous, irritable disposi-
ton, well, what is the matter?"
II am afraid, madam, 3" returned the
assistant, that l cannot dispense this
prescription.
"Oh, nonsensei'' replied the lady.
'"That is what they said at - in
Mayfair, so l brought it ON here. / sup
pose DIR. Blank knows what he pre-
scribes"
Doubtless, madam; but, although
DR.. Blank is one Of the most eminent of
his profession, 1 dare not make up this
prescription. as the strength at which
the drug is here ordered is not allowed
by the British pharmacopGia."
"Oh, n~onsenser' repeated tho 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 foI
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 loath tC
part with the paper.
III you will allow me, madam" hC
said, II will take n cab to DIR. Blanks
and if he confirms tho prescription
will then prepare it."
"No, / will not, - returned the lady,
who was now in a state of extreme irri
tation. 81 will not My husband is in {
serious condition, and 1 shall be late fol-
dinner. l have already lost half NJ
hour, and 1 cannot have further delay. >
With that she snatched up the prescrip
tion and hurried out.
The assistant was seriously perturbed
The mistake in the prescription was T
grave one-sO grave indeed that the adj
ministration Of a single dose would
probably prove fatal within two hours.
1t was possible that some young or in
experienced assistant at some small
chemists, overawed by the great name
of the physician and by the lady's i'm.
perious manner and elegant attire anC
equipage, would be found to dispensC
it Then trouble would ensue, which
might be stopped now. Thinking thus
the assistant told his fellow worker il
the dispensary that he would go to DR.
Blanks, and, hurrying into Bond street
jumped into the first passing hanson
and in five minutes was ringing the bel
of the Doctors house in Harley street
Tho footman who opened the door sale
DR.. Blank was out
where was her"
Really the footman did not know
Every important, was it?"
Ali 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 thu
death Of the patient; the professional.
ruin Of himself, the Mayfair chemis.
and the great physician; the grief anC
self reproaoh Of the lady, who, despit,
her wayWard, irritable and careless de
meanor, was evidently fond Of her hus
band. And he had already arrived at thC
c~oroner'E jury'1verdict Of ~manslaughtel
when the footnIan returned with the in
telligence that his master was dining il
Mazda Vale. The cab soon whirled tho
Grant knight Of the pestle and mortal
into the Edgeware road and drew up a
one Of the large houses which lie ON tn,
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 Al
anteroom with no very good grace. Here
another wait occurred, which preyed OF
the already irritated nerves Of oul
friend even more than the previous one
at Harley street. At last the door opened
and the doctor entered. He was a dap
per little man. abO1t B feet o In height
with a pale. thin face and hair AID mus
tache the color OF Ow. His clear. stee
blue gray eyes Aaved his appearance from
being Insignificant. He looked inquir
ingly at the assistant, who, bowling, said
lam adispenseE, sir, at Messrs. -
At about 9 O'Clock this evening q lady
Ma -. presented a prescription