The Detroit times., 1909-12-23
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
Il agree with you" said DR.. Home,
that In the main, vivisection--tha is
20 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.
IL confess" said DR.. Home. III I
could be called TO case where the
spine had been injured in the peculiar
way necessary for the production Of
the requisite pressure upon this nerve.
] should not he able TO resist making
an exploration--''
(which would inevitably result in
death and Kill your patient said Or.
Sims. In other words you would be
murderer.
"I should not tell him." urged Home
"A Whit OF chloroform and he would
sink into a quiet sleep from which he
might recover. And think OF the ad'
yantages TO science that would &C
crue."
"Giddap." said Or Sims. tickling the
pony. Home. there's one OF those
confounded automobiles coming. She
won't be able TO make the turn. Hold
her head tight"
You are evading me. Simsy cried
Home angrily. II can't see why a
level.headed man like you on all other
subjects should be SO obstinate. Do
YOU put one human life before such a
benefit 10 the whole race? Answer
me. sir. answer me"
But before Sims could reply the
honk OF car was heard and the au-
tomobile came at full speed along the
harrow lane. The pony swerved and
plunged moment later and the ma
chine had passed while the animal
was off az breakneck speed, the bit
between her teeth The two old men
awaited the inevitable accident. II
came al the turn oi the road. There
occurred a binding Concussion. and
Dr. Home opened his eyes to find him
self living upon his hack against Il
hedge. with Sims bending over him.
What's happened" he asked.
Hush" replied Sims. DO you feel
that"
Feel what
where 7 am pinching You. Nor
that Poor fellow, I'm afraid it's your
spine. Home How am I going TO get
vou back? All, | have IT, Isn't there
n bottle OF chloroform in the case that
was spilled out OF the trap? Now.
Home you'll have 10 go under an an
esthetic 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
was unscrewing the stopper Already
Home could smell the sictly 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. its the thlr'
teenth nerve You're planning 10 Kill
me-"
NO. no Home" muttered his part
nor. avoiding his gaze Don't say
that There's always chance. My
God. NAV not see such perfec' case
rs yours in the rest OF my life Direct
nregsure. my boy. upon the nerve It's
sue. and Just along the verte3ra.'
Murderer" gasped Home
"Home." said Sims. regarding his
partner sternly. do you put one mis-
erablc human life before such a ben
oft 10 the human race? Answer me,
sir: answer me. Do you want man
Kind to pass miserable existence up