The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-07-08
A DOCTORS
REVENGE
By ALBERT CHITTENDEN
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

|
an excellent hospital in a suburban
town where l knew some people, and
l was advised to take the examination
for the position Of house surgeon,
which was vacant. did so and failed.
The question that turned the scale
against ME was this
When you have done everything in
your power for patient, what is the
next step?"
Having a vein Of satirical humor in
NE, answered the question in this
wise:
Get rid of him by sending him on a
trip"
saw by the grim looks Of the exam
| iners that had lost. The man who
got the position answered the question
| in this wise
TRY something new even If it has
no apparent connection with the pa
tents ailment To cease your efforts
indicates to him that you have aben-
doned him. To continue them gives
him the benefit of hope. Besides, we
must never give up a patient till he Is
| dead"
While l was struggling for a prac
tice one day received hurry call to
see a child who had got coin In his
windpipe. He was but four years old
and. having been given the coin. was
so delighted that he had put it in his
mouth and started across the street to
buy candy with it. Forgetting it, he
breathed 1t In.
When l reached the patient found
| two or three doctors. l had been call
ed several hours before but when the
message came was not in my office.
The Oldest and foremost doctor Of
those present was DR.. Gibbs. who ten
years before had fioored me on exami-
nation by asking me what should be
done when everything had been done.
He didn't remember me. and l was
! glad he didn't, for I dreaded to meet
him.
l found these doctors in the very po-
sition indicated by that question. They
had done everything that could be
done, but they hadn't removed the
coin from the childs throat. DR.. Gibbs
appeared to be the most respondent
of the lot. Assuming a fierce tone,
said:
What are you gentlemen doing here.
standing about and holding your
hands? Are you going to let the child
die of strangulation"
My remarks were made to all the
doctors present, but as l spoke l look
ed .daggers at Dr.. Gibbs. 90 -....,,,,.
We've tried everything" he said.-s
"Well. sir. what's the, next thing to
do when you've tried everything"
Perhaps you can tell u.s." he retort-
ed tartly.
Eyes, sir; can. When a doctor has
tried everything and all things have
failed it is his duty to try something
else, no matter how remote it may
seem from the patients ailment."
well" asked Dr. Gibbs, "what do
you suggestY
Desperate cases need desperate
remedies"
| made three steps toward the child.
took him up, laid him across my knee
with his head down and began TO
spank him numerically. He yelled,
and before had given him twenty
blows out came an old fashioned cop
per cent 1t fell on the floor, rolled
in circle and turned on its side
| was never so astOnished in my life
had had no idea Of getting rid Of the
obstruction. had only wished to
beat at his own game the man who
had kept me out of a position which
might have enabled me TO start prac
tice. But now that | had succeeded
resolved to push on further.
There, gentlemen" | said, 'you
have an instance of the Importance OF
: never giving up case. Perhaps sue
cess in this case was not to be expect
ed from my expedient, but
Success was to be expected" ex
claimed one of the doctors. ITS {
wonder that we who were here befor,
you didn't think of ii. The spanking
induced III the cnilu an euOtlOu WulCl
called into play certain muscles. relax
ing others. The head being inverted
the obstruction, which was loosened b.
this relaxation, was bound TO com
out
, DR.. Gibbs advanced toward me ant
put out his hand.
; II haven't the honor of your &c
= quaintance. doctor" he said. but | d
= not hesitate to say that you have /
you that resource which emineGtly BIT
you for your profession. | shall writ
4 up your device used in this case in th
Tablet. to which | contribute. and
there is anything else can do for yo
l. don't hesitate to call on me"
didn't need to call on him H. an
the other doctors who had been pre-
y ent published abroad my pxpedien
: tried when the patient had been give
J.. UP, and 50 simple that II was woi
der none OF them had thought of IT,
Il am now an elderly man hay
; often been solicited to take place @