The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-24
ADOCTOR'S
STORY
By RYl.AND BELL,

hands Of nurses we were not sure Of
and one OF our number told the follow
Ing story:
One morning when making my round
Of visits l was going upstairs to the
room of sick lady when heard the
words:
Doctor my nurse Is killing me-"
/ stopped and listened for repeti.
ton. did not doubt that 1t came from
the sickroom, though the patient had
not complained of her nurse, whom
had recently placed on my list Of those
recommended. But did not hear the
words again. so resolved to keep my
own counsel and went on to the sick
chamber. knocked and was admitted.
Now, I am enough Of q scientist to
know that an investigator is very east.
ly worked upon by his theories. Be.
fore entering the room had explained
In my own mind the words had heard.
A former patient of mine had once.
while was bending over her. whisper
ed to me. For heavens sake, take
away that nurse" ! ut once made an
excuse to do so. and the patient. whose
nerves were shattered. told me that the
woman domineered over her. l did
not completely side with my patient in
the matter. for she needed firm hand.
but gave her another nurse.
Nevertheless that case influenced me
in the second one and. realizing that
was Influenced by it, resolved to
Danish 1t and get at the facts without
a word with the patient or the nurse.
I found the nurse somewhat agitated.
though the patient did not give EVIL
dence Of anything unusual having hap
pened. The nurse bad Just come into
the room through door opening upon
back stairway and carried tray. on
which was the invaiid's luncheon.
| There was no opportunity 10 speak
to the patient alone during my visit,
for the nurse did not leave the room.
1t has always seemed to me that for a
doctor to send a nurse from the room
reflects upon her. indicating that he
wishes to say that to the patient
which he does not wish the nurse to
hear At any rate, once offended |
one of my best nurses by doing that |
very thing. So In this case ! went |
away without having acquired any fur |
Their information about the matter.
On my next visit made a pretext |
to send the nurse out of the room to
bring something l wanted. but she
foiled me by going to closet for it.
| couldn't think Of any other excuse
and went away as uniformed as be-
fore. On my next visit l had scarcely
entered the house before again heard
the words:
Doctor, my nurse is killing mel"
This time, since | had not gone up
stairs, the sound was farther away
from me and less distinct. 1t seemed
to come from directly over my head.
though paid no attention to this, for
the ear does not give US the direction
Of sound. ! hurried upstairs and into
the sickroom without knocking, hoping
to learn something by taking them by
surprise found the nurse arranging ,
the patients pillow. Neither showed
consciousness Of anything disagree
able between them.
But despite my remedies my patient {
was getting worse. Probably this turn
ed the scale in my mind against the
nurse. At any rate, I determined to re-
move her without offending her. / told /
her that had another case In which
she alone would satisfy me and I o
would send substitute. she reporting t
at the new place, that evening. Then P
l left without saying anything to her
charge about the change. intending to Q
do so after IL had been made and at :
the same time give her my reasons for :
her of her nurse. !,
What was my establishment at my
next visit 10 hear on ascending the .
staircase the words;
Doctor, my nurse is killing ner'
had only an hour before left the
nurse who had had charge Of the case
with another patient aud here was
the same complaint. ! resolved to in
restigate on my own account Avoid
ug the sickroom. opened every door.
In small room directly over the front
Ioor was a parrot on a perch beside
he window where he could see my
.ArrIhEe uTife w anu see iue aHkht
Ind enter the house.
Here was the explanation, or a part
II It. Still keeping my own counsel.
that had removed the nurse
injustly. returned to the house
where had placed the suspected wo-
nan and told her what had happened.
Doctor" she said, "the morning you
allied when I was carrying in the pa
tents breakfast had Just passed the
DOM where the parrot was kept and
eard him say. Doctor, my nurse is
filing me- ] was in terror when l
aw you enter for fear you had heard
i'm and would suspect me. Upon in
uiry ! learned that a former patient -
ad been delirious In that house and
ad repeatedly accused her nurse OF
rying 10 xii her. That's where the
arrot picked up the phrase and when
yer be saw you cutter repeated It"
! was so Disguised al the way ] had
cen fooled that never since will per-
If a parrot TO remain in any house
here ] have a patient There are
ther ways than the one have men
oned that they may influence what il
king place in a sickroom. At any