The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-04-27

assistant, In others as CONSULTING
practitioner or specialist whose views
| desired to obtain. While driving
from one house to the next intended
to visit | gave him hint as to what
[ should require of him. that he might
be prepared to speak with an ap-
parent show of knowledge OF the sub
ject. especially when there was a
nurse who had some knowledge OF 1t
herself. Though some OF my cases
were causes of anxiety to me. l could
not but be amused at the serious
thoughtful manner he entered upon
each case | asked him to consider.
He even knew enough Of a consulting
physicians relations with the doctor
who calls him into the case to DEFER
to the others judgment while giving
an opinion. And | was surprised at
how adroitly he concealed the fact
that he didn't know what he was talk
ing about.
We entered one house where the
nurse, Mrs. Webster woman rather
older than the average. was very
motherly person and evidently devoted
to her charge. Miss Edwards, down
with typhoid fever Or, rather, the pa
tient was In that weak state which
follows Immediately after the disease.
Jernegan put on more professional I'm
portanee than usual, reminding me OF
certain doctors | have known who
conceal their want OF knowledge OF
case under an appearance of great
wisdom Presently he said to me:
"Please excuse me. doctor; there are
certain features Of the case that l
should like to inquire about from the
nurse" Then. turning to her, he add
ed, Mrs. Webster. desire to confer
with you in another room"
| glanced at the nurse. and her ex-
preston spoke volumes. She could
not refuse to go with him. yet her
face told me that she dreaded to do
so. She looked sort of appeal to me.
as though to communicate without
speaking that there was reason why
she should not leave the patient. But
Jernegan'a face indicated that the In
/
place. and the woman led him out.
He shut the door behind them and left
me with the patient.
The moment we were alone together
an agonized expression came over the
! invalids face.
Have you called me by telephone|
I asked.
Twice"
"Tell me in a few words what is the
trouble"
shes trying to poison me-"
The expression on her face was so
full of horror that | stopped her.
went to the telephone and called for
another nurse. then back to the pa
tient. told her what | had done and
that | would remain until the arrival
Of the substitute. This done. | went
about the room collecting what medi-
cines | could find.
Meanwhile Jernegan remained In the
other room with the nurse. In ten
minutes the one / had called for ar
rived. and, placing my patient under
her care. | went to the room where
Jernegan and Mrs Webster were
Jernegan was looking at book. Mrs.
Webster was standing looking out OF
a window. She appeared very much
troubled.
There's your quarry" said Jerne-
gan. for the first time dropping all as
sumption of being a doctor.
II know It," replied. 1.-THE patient
has told me all. Mrs. Webster, will
ron please come downstarsY'
We all went to the floor below,
where we would not disturb the pa
tient with scene, and I told Mrs.
Webster TO prepare to leave the house.
She said she must go to the patients
room. but | did not permit this. of
course.
| did not like simply to turn the wo-
man Off because | suspected she had
some malign intention toward her pa
tipnt. and | did not like to have her
arrested. for | hardly knew what to
barge her with Notwithstanding the
inyald's condition, | went to her, leay-
gan. and asked her If she felt strong
enough to tell me what had occurred
between her and her nurse. Miss Ed
wards told me<that she had seen Mrs.
Webster on one occasion dropping a
powder in some fluid medicine before
giving it, After that Miss Edwards
held in her mouth all the medicine Civ
en- her till her nurses back was turn
ed then got rid of it.
A sick person is so liable to see what
does not actually occur that would
not act upon this information without
the discovery of some poison on the
promises. This could not be done with
out an analysis. and | felt obliged TO
discharge Mrs. Webster. though | told
Jernegan to have her Swallowed for
| few days. None of the drugs found
/ turned out to be poison. This did not
prove that the nurse did not have some
poison which we could not find. !
rould get nothing very satisfactory out
Of the patient and was forced to be-
lieve that her fears were the result OF
her physical condition. therefore
paid no further attention to the mat
ter so far as concerned the nurse.
After Miss Edwards recovery. talk
Ing up newspaper one day. | noticed
that Mrs Webster had been arrested
for attempting to poison Miss Ed
wards while the latter was Ill and un-
der her care. 1t was charged that the