The age-herald., 1898-10-06
SURGEON GENERAL
 HAMMOND, U. s. A.
From the New York Press.

ical profession. Recently two have turned up who do not speak to ex-Surgeon General Hammond, U. S. A, because he patented certain nerve cures and advertised them. At time they were Hammond's warm friends and adherents. All came from Maryland, where the surgeon was born in 1928. He is now in Washington, after a bril- liant career, conducting a sanitarium Prob ably he is rich. He became an assistant surgeon by special act of congress in 1S19 as brigadier general.
 
 Passing Davids Island, in the Sound, near New Rochelle, the other day, was re- minded forcibly of the time, thirty-five years ago, when the federal government had several hundred confederate prisoners of war there in hospitals Hammond came one day in gold braid and lace, ropes and tassels, to make an inspection, and such a gathering of lovely matrons you never saw before. They came from New York in low neck and short sleeves. One of the moro conspicuous was Mrs James Gordon Ben nett-the elder of course-who was Miss Henrietta Agnes Crean, in her early days @ poor but accomplished music teacher. Ham, mond was as great a hero then as Hobson was a few weeks ago. Some of the women kissed him. The prisoners looked with amazement on bare necks and shoulders in the height of the afternoon-something they never had seen in the south.
 
 do not recollect why Hammond was dismissed from the service, but he was in 1864 In 1879 he was restored to rank and re- tired. He had resigned before the war to accept professorship in the University of Maryland, but went to the ront at the first call in 1881. After his retirement he opened an office in the house where pr. Chauncey Depew lived or lives, and entered upon an extensive and highly lucrative practice as a specialist on diseases of the nervous system. Thousands visited him for relief His an- te-rooms were filled from morning to night with waiting patients. A big negro man from Baltimore called to each in turn and 1t is said that he never made mistake. To visit Hammond in those great days cost $15. He visited nobody. People must go to him. He sat behind long green ta- ble, and as patients deposited their money he knocked the bills into common pile with the end of a stick. Touch money? Not on your life. Large piles grew as the day advanced, and in the evening the man ser want folded and pressed each note for de- posit on the mororow,
 One day a man went to see Hammond, bearing a letter of introduction. After waiting hour and half he was admit ted to the august presence. Are you a brother of So-and-So?" asked the surgeon. "He is my brother,' was the reply. "Then, how is it I never met you before? I knew your father and mother, your two brothers and your ssters.' q saw you at Davids Island when you came there to make an n- spection. I was lying on a cot in the lawn tent" ''You recognized me?" "Of course." "Why didn't you make yourself known? I would have done anything for you" 1T was being very well treated and had no complaints to make. Besides, wasn't anx- ious to increase my list of acquaintances. What is the matter with you?' T haven't the remotest idea" How long have you beeen troubled?" About six years"
 
 The surgeon made a brief examination, then, as the patient expressed it afterward, "shot charge of lightning through the back of his neck. Did you feel that?' Feel it? Do you think am gutta-per-
  well. How does that fee?' shooting a sec- ond charge at the auchenium, which made the patient rigid as marble. He could not answer. He was paralyzed. Cant talk, eh?" smiled Hammond 'Then indicate yes by closing your eyes and no by shak- ing your head. Do you feel that?" firing third time. A faint shutting of the lids. "All right; that will do." Presently the man was sent home in the surgeons pri- vate carriage, with instructions to return on the following day.
 For several weeks these visits were con- tinued. Finally Hammond said: Now you may get well. do not say you will. You may die in a week, but have hopes of you. Can you go anywhere in the country, to g. quiet place, and rest for six months?' 1T reckon can go to some farm in Virginia" Good enough. Sart right away. Here is a prescription Take it regularly. Good by." Doctor, before I go I want to know what's the matter with me?" "Really?' Really" "Well, you've had the worst case of congestion of the brain l ever saw. Lightning saved you-those three hocks.'' 'Tiow much is my bill?' "Oh, never mind about that. We'll sette 1t some other time" ''No, we won't, sir. We'll settle right now. I've got as much money as 1 ever likely to have at one time, and I'm not charity patient, sir. I want you to understand that" ''If you insist, very we'll Do you know what your bill is?" "I can nearly guess" Tt is $450. The money was paid over and the patient started south.
 
 The patients brother, who had long been acquainted with pr. Hammond, saw the sick man on the train, and as he said fare- well handed to him a fat envelope with a request not to open it until out of Jersey City. It contained the s450 he had paid Hammond and a note of explanation from the surgeon general ''I never could think of accepting a cent from your brother but took this money because he looked as if he was going to thrash me if I refused. Please make him take it back, with my compliments and good wishes. He may need some delicacies in the Virginia moun- tains.'
 Dr. Hammond's prescription for the pa-