The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-03-03
WHISTLED ANNIE LAURIE.
lie Then Proceeded to Clean Out the
Clinic.

lie Then Proceeded to Clean Out the
Clinic.
DR.. Edward Ricketts,, of Cincinnati, is
one Of the largest men physically and
mentally in the Southern Surgical and
genealogical association. He is known
as a daring and skillful operator. and
has achieved reputation by his contri-
buttons to medical journals on abdom-
lnal surgery. Those who know the doc
rcr say he is as brave ordinarily as
Julius Ceasar. Yet, like the StyX-dip-
ped Achilles, he has vulnerable spot.
The story told on the general surgeon
come from his hcme, Cincinnati. He
was invited by fellow physician to be
present at peculiarly difficult demon
stration. Or. Ricketts, was late in ar
irving, and was forced to take posi-
tion on the outer edge Of the circle OF
doctors and students. Nothing had
been said about the condition of the
subject, and he supposed 1t was cad
aver. The figure was that OF giant
Teuton, and to all appearances was per-
fectly rigid. Not muscle stirred and
10 breathing was perceptible.
The location of the operation was
exposed. and the operator grasping
his knife, advanced to the patient. AS
the cold steel touched the flesh, startl-
ing thing happened. From beneath the
flaxen mustache of the form on the
table the familiar notes of Annie
Laurie" whistled clearly distinctly.
The effect on the company was electri-
cal. The operating surgeons knife fell
with a rattle to the floor, the students
rushed for the door, and the older ply
slcians stood transtixed with amaze
ment. Clear and sweet came the notes
OF the old song, even to the last bar.
Then the tune was switched to Die
Wacht am Rhein." By the time this
was completed the room was empty of
students, but the veteran physicians
remained at their posts. Suddenly the
subject sat up. AS he gazed over the
row. of white-aprored figures wild
light sprang into his eyes. With yell
he leaped from the table, and dealt the
nearest physician a stunning blow in
the face; then he attacked the others.
Chairs, tables book cases were demol-
ishGd.
The physicians got outside and wait
cd the cooling Of the Germans pass.on.
Gradually be became calmer until az
last he sank exhausted in chair. The
medical men advanced in body and
demanded an explanation. The patient
could give none. For time he was
crazy. Dr. Ricketts, was informed that
the man had been under the influence
OF an anaesthetic and was asked to as
sist in the operation. -.
The patient insisted that the work
60 on, and chloroform was substituted
Tor ether. The knives were brought
cut and an incision was about to be
M2de, when the second time, the strains
OF Annie Laurie" fell upon the ears OF
the company. This time there was no
Celay. Everybody except DR.. Ricketts,
-?ed 10 the street. A few moments later
he too, had to seek refuge from the
huge fist OF the German, who was again
on the rampage. After this second
outbreak the demonstration was aban-
doned. The strange consequences of
the anaesthctic were never satisfacto-
gily explained by the medical fraternity,
but to this day DR.. Ricketts, cannot
hear the strains of the old Scotch song
without quaking in his shoes and dodg-
ing imaginary blows.-St. Louis POST
Dispatch.