The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-04-01
1o11oo1111<Y@Y
SoS6oo<1%1
A STORY OF The DEAD.ROOM.
BY CAPTAIN BARCLAY.
j5sSsjSSs5sSSSc5sjcjS5cj


81 presume, doctor, there are many
sorrowful scenes which present them
selves in your profession, remarked
to the surgeon of our regiment, as /
spent an evening in his tent, while
we were in camp.
Eyes, indeed" he replied, with an
air of nonchalance. "But, then, cap
tain, you are soldier, and you know
how fellow will get used to most
anything. You do not shudder now
at seeing dead men lying around loose
as you used to do, do you?"
well, no." replied, that is too
true"
II remember one incident in my
life, when a student Of medicine in
New York college," continued the
doctor, "that has never been erased
from my memory. 1t is full quar-
ter of century since 1t occurred, and
yet / remember 1t well. I would to
Heaven it could pass from my mind.
War is full of horrors" continued
the doctor, "and l have been in hos
pitfalls where the shrieks of the
wounded and the groans of the dying
mingled, and went about my 3usi-
ness almost as the weaver listens to
the sound of his looms. But this is
a story of the dead-room, where no
sound is heard but the sharpening of
the scalpel and the almost noiseless
tread of the surgeon.
Among the professors il the med
ical college at that time was DR.. F.,
an English surgeon. He was a man
of brilliant attainments, both as
scholar and as surgeon.
HE was probably sixty years of
age, and had no family, at least he
never spoke of one. Why he left his
native land, and why he hardly ever
smiled, no one seemed to know, and
probably no one cared to ask. We,
as students, paid our money for a
knowledge of medicine and surgery,
and did not trouble ourselves about
the history of those who taught us.
"The winter season of lectures had
commenced, and students from nearly
every section of the United States
were in the city to attend them. Sub
jects for dissection were required,
and sometimes, like other articles in
the market, the supply exceeded the
demand, and at other times the dead
room was short. Body-snatchers
were employed at the current rates,
and were paid for the bodies fur
nished by the law Of supply and de-
mand. Subjects were scarce and in
demand the winter have named, and
prices rose accordingly.
Il happened in the English profess
sor's room one morning to examine a
medical work that required my at
tention. A gentle rap came on the
door, and the doctor said, Walk in
Il knew the visitor and his calling
at a glance. His soulless eyes glanced
cautiously around the room, and then
he asked, in whisper:
=" All right, doctor?'
Yes; one of my Students re-
piled the surgeon.
Have fresh stiff, doctor. Found
1t floating in the harbor ut daylight
this morning. Female, about fifty,
and good form. From an English
vessel, no doubt.
What is the price?' asked the
surgeon.
Cannot deliver it at the college
for less than a hundred was the re-
ply.
Too much answered the sur
geon. You are above the market
Sorry we cannot agree, said the
man, with sccwl; but the fact IS
doctor, no class of individuals takes
such risks and work as hard for our
money as us fellers, and mostly fol
the benefit of science
"He was about to depart when the
surgeon called him back.
Make it seventy-fve and you car
bring the subject
Sorry, doctor, but l cant. You
see, Jim and ! is in partnership in
this sti1, as he happened in the boat
with me, and when We come to divide
the matter it will be only fifty each
We honestly earned every cent We
ask
We'll, replied the surgeon, bring
the subject to the dead-room tonight
and your price shall be paid
"The following Cay the professor