The leader., 1905-09-02
EVEN
BY W. FAIRFAX GORDON
Observation-Disclosures,


What blessing to have at last quiet
patient in that dreadful cot! She sat
down by the desk and began to study
her lectures with renewed energy.
Then her trained ear caught the
sound of faint sigh-and she was by
Miss Farel's side Immediately.
Il told the doctor" there was disap.
pointment in her tone, that all of the
patients were sleeping"
II heard YOU"
He motioned particularly to your
bed and seemed so pleased at its still
ness"
81 am rarely boislerous." Miss Far.
els voice quivered slightly with
laughter.
Haven't you been asleep?"
No"
Are you in pain?"
Il would not be here unless l had
pain" Again the voice was humorous.
do you wish anything?"
20, yes!"
"What?"
1T would take too long a time to
enumerate."
'Tmean do you wish me to do any
thing for you?"
20! Not just now, thank you"
Il hope you will be able to Sleep"
Il usually sleep sometimes after
midnight"
"Then goodnight, and pleasant
dreams"
Thank you, prefer not to dream
at all"
Miss Farel laughed softly to her.
self.
mo doubt" thought she, that in
terne thinks l am the hysterical pa.
tient who formerly occupied this bed
How annoying she must have been.
suspect she will soon tire of my old
room; hysterical people are SO whim.
sical."
When DIR. Cheseldine, one of the
hospital chiefs, and Miss Farel's med
ical adviser, recommended the pres
byterian" to her, she would not con
sent to be taken there until she had
his pledge that he would tell no one
that she was a trained nurse. She
knew how partial the nurse: were to
the profession, and she did not intend
any distinction to be made between
herself and the other patients.
Nevertheless, DR.. Cheseldine often
talked to her in a confidential man
ner, quite different from that usually
adopted between doctor and patient
ut was from him that she learned oi
the hysterical young woma:- who was
also under his care). He sometimes
asked her advice, and even followed
It, concerning this case.
Put her by herself until she learns
self-control. She will upset everybody
in the ward" she told him.
There are no vacancies just now.
Then, as am so much better, and
am tired of being alone, she may have
this ROOM"
Unfortunately, the day of Miss Far,
els re:Ioval was the time for the Gus
tomary change of internes and nurses
which the superintendent ordered tc
take place eevry three months, that
they night have experience in the diff
4ClCAI III OOL1O
way, no note was made of the -ex
change of these two of DR.. Chesel
dimes patients.
The next morning new day nurse
brought Miss Farel a powder.
Il haven't taken any medicine be
fore breakfast since l entered the hos
pital," remarked Miss Farel.
1--WE know that" The day nurse
thought she understood the case
But you must take this to-day"
Are you not mistaken" insisted
Miss Farel.
Il have never yet been mistaken
about my orders" The day nurse was
pleasant and firm.
"Then this is the first time, may
be-" and Miss Farel smiled.
"The doctor told me to call him
should you refuse this" The day nurse
was getting impatient.
HAS the doctor changed my treat
meut?"
Take this one, please. l shall have
to call the doctor if you do not
Then call the docto-!" Miss Fare
was amused She saw that she was
taken for the predecessor and her eyes
winked merrily.
The day nurse reported the trouble
to the head nurse and ended by say
ing: She even laughed in my facet
And the head nurse told the in
terne, who concluded that he would
deal properly with the young lady.
"She had such quiet night, hoped
it would be unnecessary to carry out
DR.. Cheseldine's ORDER he mutteret
as he walked down the corridor at
tended by the two nurses.
When the screen was drawn arount
Miss Farel's bed DIR. Brooks SAID
gently:
Take this now; it is not worth
making fuss over"
"But | wish to know first if my
treatment has been changed?"
Such a question is not appropriate
from a patient.
still must know"
'And I must insist upon your taking
this at once"
AOU AoSL AAOl NC wv AAA04GSOASs
DR.. Brooks was astonished. He mus
not, indeed! When had patient ever
dictated to him before? He would set
tie this affair at once.
"Here, are you going to take this 2
81 am not"
How provoking she was! And sc
pretty with those brilliant eyes. He
had not expected his hysterical charge
to leok like this! He wished she were
ugly. 1t would not then be SO hard
for him. Should he telephone his un
willingness to DR.. Cheseldine? No;
the order had been distinctly giver
to" but the hateful words struck
in his brain while he was trying tC
frame the sentence.
Surely, this patient could not be
the cause of so much trouble in the
ward! He wanted do something
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