The Detroit times., 1909-12-22
THE THIRTEENTH NERVE.
BY Harold Carter.

AS the two old doctors logged along
the country road in their pony trap
they were discussing a much-thresh.
ed-out subject.
II agree with you" said DR.. Home.
that in the main. vivisection-that is
TO say experimental operation as dis
tinct from serum works unjustih.
able. But there is one exception"
The discovery OF the functions of
the thirteenth nerve?" his partner. Dr.
Sims. said quizzically.
II confess" said DR.. Home. III
could be called TO a case whore the
spine had been injured in the peculiar
way necessary for the production AZ
the requisite pressure upon this nerve,
| should not be able to resist making
an exploration
Which would inevitably result In
death and kill your patient said DR..
Sims. In other words you would be
q murderer"
Il should not tell him." urged Home,
"A Whit OF choroform and he would
sink into quiet sleep from which he
might recover. And think OF the adj
vantages TO science that would ac-
crue."
"Giddap." said Or Sims, tickling the
pony Home. there's one OF those
confounded automobiles coming. She
won't be able 20 make the turn. Hold
her head tight
You are evadng me. Sims" cried
Home angrily. II can't see why a
Ievel-headed man like you on all other
subjects should he so obstinate. Do
YOU put one human life before such a
benefit to the whole race? Answer
me sir. answer me
But before Sims could reply the
honk OF a car was heard and the au-
tomobile came at full speed along the
narrow lane. The pony swerved and
plunged; a moment later and the ma
chine had passed. while the animal
was off al brcakneck speed, the bit
between her teeth. The two old men
awaited the inevitable accident. II
came at the turn OF the road. There
occurred a binding concussion, and
DR. Home opened his eyes to find him
self lying upon his back against a
hedge. with Sims bending over him.
What's happened" he asked
Hush" replied Sims. do you feel
that?"
Feel what"
where | am pinching you. Nor
thate Poor fellow I'm afraid it's your
spine. Home. How am | going 10 get
YOU back? All. | have il. Isn't there
a bottle Of chloroform In the case that
was spilled out OF the trap? Now,
liome. you'll have TO 60 under an an
csthetic till get YOU back on cart.
for it's the operation table for You,
and the least move would be fatal
Sims Sims Home muttered. For
Gods sake. you're of your head.
can't move anyway Sims. what are
You going to do?
Sims had the bottle in his hand and
vas unscrewing the stopper Already
Home could smell the siCllly anes
thetic within. There was rapt look
upon Sims face that his partner had
never seen before. And suddenly the
truth flashed upon him.
Sims" he whispered, IT'S the thir
teenth nerve You're planning TO XIII
me"
NO. no Home. muttered hi part
ncr. avoiding his gaze. Don't say
that. There's always a chance. Ny
God. | may not see such perfec' case
- yours in the restoof my life. Direct
.nreesure. my boy. upon the nerve It's
sue. and Just along tho verte5ra
Murderer, gasped Home.
Home said Sims. regarding his
mariner sternly, do YOU put one mis-
crable human life before such ben
eft To the human race? Answer me.
sir: answer me. Do you want man
Kind 10 pass miserable existence up