The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-07-16
A DOCTORS
REVENGE
b. ALBERT CHITTENDEN
Copyright. 1915. D. American Press
Association

very difficult job wished 10 start in
b doing hospital work. There was
an excellent hospital in suburban
town where / knew some people. ana
was advised TO take the eXa mination
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 a patient. what is the
next step:"
Having a vein Of satirical hulnor in
me-. l answered the question in this
wise:
Get rid Of him by sending him on
trip"
saw By the grim looks Of the exam
liners 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 aiInent. TO cease your efforts
indicates TO him that you have abaD-
dOned him To continue them gives
him the benefit Of hope. Besides. we
must never give up patient till he is
dead"
While | was struggling for a prac-
tice | one day received a hurry call to
see a child who had got a coin in his
windpjpe 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. be
breathed it III
When / reached the patient l found
two or three doctors. | had been call
Ell 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 tloored me on eXami
nation by asking me what should be
done when everything had been done
He didn't remember me. and ] was
glad he didn't, for | dreaded to meet
him
/ found these doctors in the very pO-
sjtion Indicated by that question. They
had done everything that could be
done, but they hadn't removed the
coin from the chiId's throat DR.. Gibbs
appeared to be the most Respondent
Of the lot. Assuming a fierce tone. l
said:
''That are you gentlemen doing here.
standing about and holding your
hands: Are You going to let the child
die OF strangulation?"
My remarks We're made to all the
doctors present. but as l spoke / look
ed Co@gcrS at DR.. Gibbs.
'Wc've tried everything' he said.
well. sir, what's the next thing to
do when you've tried everything:"
'PcrlnpS YOU can tell u.s. he retort.
Cd tartly-
Yes, sir; can. When doctor has
tried everything and all things have
failed it is his duty to try sornethin:.
else. no mltter how remote it HAY
seem from the patients ailment-"
"NrH,' asked DR.. Gibbs. "V hat do
you SUGGEST"
"De~perate cases need desperate
remedies"
1 ,uade three steps toward the child
took him up, iaid him across my knee
with his head down and began t,
spank hiW numerically. He yelled
and before had given him twenty
blows out came an old fashioned cop
per cent It fell Oh the nuur. rolled
in Il circle and turned on its side
/ was never 50 aStonished in my life
I had Ind 40 idea of getting rid Of tn.
obstruction. had only wished tc
beat 1t his own game the man who
lad kept me ont Of q position which
Mi-ht have enabled me to start prac
tee. H1.t HOW that had succeeded
resolved TO push on further.
There, gentlemen" | said. "yol
have Ri instance of the Importance OF
never giving up 4 case. Perhaps sue
cess IL this case was not to be expect
eel from NY eXp"Iicnt. but
success was to be expected" ex
claimed one of the doctors. Its {
wonder that we who We're here before
you didn't think of it. The spanking
induced in the child an emotion which
called into play certain muscles. relax
ing others. The head being inverted
IIe obstruction. which was loosened b,
this relaxation. was bound to com.
out
Or Gibbs advanced toward me an.
tut out his hand.
Il haven't the honor of your &c
QuaiLcauce. doctor" he said, but | d,
not hesitate t. say that you have il
you that Resource which eminently tit
y"n f." YOUR profession. | shall writ
u your device used in this case in tn,
fE..f...F tn which ! pArtriil1ro and /