The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-24


 a very good night" But the lack of re-
 sponse on her part was unmistakably
 meant to imply there was to be no return
 Of cordial1ty. What was the cause? Why the change? I felt indignant, I tried to
 reason, but could not; viewed and re-
 viewed the conditions, but was unable to
 solve the problem. So interested and ex-
 ercised had I been in this my first patient
 that had taken no recreation. As pupils
 in training, we had been taught that true
 art lies in allowing patients rest and
 peace quite as much as in leaving nothing
 undone that could possibly promote their
 comfort and. recovery; teaching and ex-
 perience taught Us that it was essential
 to arrange all treatment, medication, etc.,
 to insure the greatest amount of uninter-
 rupted rest and quietness. I could only
 conclude that the poor woman, in her
 great love and anxiety for her big gen
 tie undemonstrative husband, was silently
 rebelling against the periods of rest from baths. treatment, etc.. regarding them as lost time. His condition appeared awful to her while it was entirely satisfactory to pr. NJ, who was accustomed to seeing so much illness
 In order to have a successful first case' resolved to restore peace and sat isfatction. decided to redouble my at tention to Michael when Mrs. O'Gara was
 at hand but even to accomplish this de- sirable point, I decided, too, that Michael should not be molested unnecessarily Mrs. OGara's whereabouts could be always as- certained without difficulty; being of con siderable weight, and not light on her feet,
 she could be heard and located in any part of the little flat. Her coming, too, was always heralded by the opening and closing of doors; on account of noise I had requested that they be kept closed. carried out my proposed plan for the day, and if not giving prescribed treat ment when Mrs. O'Gara was present was engaged in apparent preparation for her husbands comfort and welfare. The only change in Mrs. OGara was intensified coldness. Toward afternoon of the next day, as her attitude was growing more distant, I resolved to seek an interview with her. Closing all doors between | Michaers room and the kitchen sought and found her on the back fire escape, sorting empty milk bottles in a listless way. She came as I called her name; was trembling with emotion and as she entered the window and we came face to
 face she. too, became visibly agitated Mrs. OGara,'' I said, "there must be some misunderstanding on your part re- gardng myself; your attitude towards me when I came to you was so cheery and confident and now Is so changed. I could scarcely speak for the big lump in my throat
 "I have come to you because I want to know the cause; if you will tell me, l may be able to correct the trouble, imag- mary or otherwise. I value your goodwill and want it."
 With the only reason had assigned for her demeanor uppermost in my mind, I continued in as kind tone as I could summon.
 Are you anxious about your husband ! Mrs. O'Gara? He is doing splendidly; he is very ill but the doctor is not in the least apprehensive. am doing all anyone could. have most willingly sacrificed my time and sleep for his welfare, have not left him for any recreation, and have ! watched him faithfully day and night and know, Mrs. O'Gara, have done all l that lies in my power"
 | She stood with arms akimbo, looking al
 me with the frenzted expression of pent UT | wrath.
 | "Done all that lies in your power,' she l cried loudly, her eyes ablaze with indigna tion and harbored ill will.
 l "Yes, you have miss, and great dea l more-Tve been where there were nusses l before, but never have I seed any on en show the attention you have showed to
 my Michael. I never have went into that
 room but what you been rubbin' his head with alkerhol, or holdin' his hand, or doiu somethn' for him He's mine Now, you aint goin' to get him, and you ain't goin' to stay no longer. How much does
 I owe you? You've been tit ever since you came in this door; you've actually had on a fresh white dress right off the iron every day since you've been here and what's more you've even wore white slip
 pers to retract his eyesl Now I'm jest tellin you. once and for all, you ain't poin' to get my AIiChaeli'
 The suppressed feeling I had endured the last few days, the high tension under which I had existed, the gravity of my patients condition, and the anxiety of my first responsibility away from au- l thorites to whom I could refer in uncet- tainty-al brought to an abrupt climax by this grand finale was overwhelming and I was completely dumb. Mrs. O'Gara con tinued: te,H "When you came into my house lookln' so nice and sweet like, I sez to myself,
 I sez, she's little lady born, sez, never
 knowin you was only posin'. How much does owe you?'
 I could not calculate. When I recovered my poise. which took some time, I tried l to explain that my attentions to my patient were wholly professional, that in pneumonia the heart condition was con stantly to be watched and recorded, that I held not his hand, but his wrist. and from no motive of affection, but because I must watch his heart action. But Mrs. O'Gara was relentless she added she would nurse her own Michael now, for sne knew he was going to be all right. This, I told her, could not consent to he was too i'll. I could not insist upon remaining in her house longer than necessary, but
 would do so until she procured substi- ute and had also referred the matter to Mir M When she saw that I was i'm movable in this decision. she donned her bonnet immediately, went to a nearby
 grocery store and telephoned to Hospital ". The superintendent believing the call to be for a relief nurse sent one im- medately returned to the room of the poor innocent Irishman, so unconscious of the battle fought in the rear and, carefully concealing any evidence of agitation. told him I was very sorry to leave him but that it was necessary for me to do so that afternoon, and that we had secured an ex- cellent nurse In my stead. He thanked me and with tears in his eyes squeezed my hand in silent gratitude. .n f0 left the tenement flat with bllnding
 hot tears coursing down my face. had
 had but little rest; my feet were aching.
 my head was aching and my heart was
 aching. Dismissed from my first case, the remembrance and disgrace were there for all time Could 1t be that only five
 days had elapsed since had definitely
 concluded in my supreme wisdom that if
 people were not happy the fault lay within
 themselves. I directed the cabman to
 take me to the hospital where I sought
 the superintendent She was in her own
 cozy room before cheerful fire: I en-
 tered, the picture of injured dignity and
 distress She placed chair for me be-
 da1 ataIv e