i)u!ii)itiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiii!!iiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiimiiintuiimtiniiiiiitmiiiiiiiiiumittiiiiiimi |!V •»i4l=> T H E D O C T O R ' S RECREATION SERIES CHARLES WELLS MOULTON General Editor VOLUME FIVE A Cl'liE FOR THE (rOUT 1Q< Am\C AmBaujiK naiK^ni*v \PMm 9'^e DOCTOR'S WINDOW itMWgiH-nMygMKmiMinWMitwwfang'ftTf mi!^HKiu>/u:'V ftuv /uTivv K'jr n '•r POEMS BY THE DOCTOR, FOR THE .DOCTOR, and .... ABOUT THE DOCTOR. EDITED BY Una TRussellc Marren. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 'QJimiam pepper, A. D., 11. !>. • ■*■'.'„ • ' ^ ir 1904 THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. Chicago akron, o. new York i J J J J > J J * J J c c c Copyright, 1897, by INA RUSSELLE WARREN Copyright, 1904. THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY 1 It c ^ « It. Ill It. tttltttll P)\] IcIlO Table of Contents An Advance Subscriber to the Editor Dr. Edward D. Freeman . . iii The Drama of the Doctor's Window . Austin Dobson 9 The Convalescent TO HER Physician . Sydney Dobell 15 Andrew Jack, M. D John Stuart Blackie .... 16 The Morning Visit Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. 18 The Country Doctor Will Carleton 21 Doctors Eugene Field 22 Doc Sifers James Whitcomb Riley . . 25 To Dr. (Afterwards Sir Edward) Wilmot William Duncombe 27 In a Dissecting Room Dr. William Burt Harlow . . 28 Ode to a Doctor James G. Burnett 29 A Ballade of Busy Doctors Dr. James Newton Matthews 30 My First Patient Dr. William Tod Helmuth . 31 MoRiTURi Salutarmus Dr. J. Dickson Bruns ... 36 The Remedy Worse than the Disease Matthew Prior 40 Marshal Saxe and His Physician . . . Horace Smith 41 A Quandary George Herbert Stockbridge. 43 The Doctor's Hard Case William E. A. Axon .... 45 Great Expectation oftheHouseof Doc Henry Ames Blood 46 Minerva Medica Dr. S. Weir Mitchell .... 49 Doctor Munroe James Hogg 52 Fallopius to his Dissecting Knife . . Eugene Lee- Hamilton ... 53 Doctor Bonomi S. Baring-Gould 54 The Quack Doctor Wentworth Dillon 62 The Transferred Malady Joel Benton 63 With the Scapel H. Savile Clarke 64 The Joking Doctor Francis Saltus Saltus .... 66 Guneopathy John Godfrey Saxe 68 Doctor Gall James Smith 69 Most to be Pitied Mrs. George Archibald ... 71 Miss Sophronia's Cure Sam Walter Foss 72 43434'7 TABLE OF CONTENTS HousEV/iFELY Physic Thomas Tusser 73 A Human Skull Frederick Locker- Lampson 74 The Newcastle Apothecary George Col ;man 75 Boyle Godfrey, Chymist and Doctor OF Medicine Dr. Charles Smith 78 The Old Doctor Eva Wilder McGlasson . . 80 On Aufidius Actius Sannazarius 81 The Same who Physick'd Peter .... Lord Byron 82 The General Practitioner Dr. J. Johnston 83 In the Hospital Rose Terry Cooke 84 The Doctor's Answer Dr. Samuel W. Kelley ... 85 Professions — Physic George Crabbe 87 Lines by a Lunatic, M. D H. Savile Clarke 95 On Dr. Lettsom, By Himself John Coakley Lettsom ... 95 The Village Doctor Samuel Slayton Luce ... 96 Bessie Brown, M. D. . , Samuel Minturn Peck ... 98 Rabelais and the Lampreys Horace Smith 100 The Doctor's Walk Andreas Justin Kerner ... 101 Old Gaffer von Gunther Dr. Henry W. Roby .... 102 Doctor Brighton J. Ashby-Sterry 104 An Old Skull James Clarence Harvey . . 106 The Country Doctor S. Q. Lapius 107 The Latest Reconstructive Nerve- Tonic and Restorative Ben King, 110 The Honors that Await the Discoverer IN Surgery Dr. George Chismore ... 1 1 1 Sent TO A Patient, with Ducks .... Dr. Edward Jenner .... 112 Love-Making Rebecca Morrow Reaves . 113 The Good Physician Thomas William Parsons . 114 In a Museum Stuart Cameron 115 My Uniformed Nurse Miles Tyler Frisble 116 To A Young Physician John Greenleaf Whittier . . 1 17 Doctor Dan's Secret Frederick Langbridge ... 118 The Blush Henry Chandler 119 The Dispensary Samuel Garth 120 A Doctor's Motto Richard Graves 124 Milk Dr. Joseph B. Grisv/old . . 125 The Quack Doctor's Proclamation . . Charles Dickens 128 The Physican Charles Lansing Raymond . 129 A Fourteenth Century Doctor . . , Geoffrey Chaucer .... 130 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Woman Healer Katharine Lee Bates .... 131 The Doctor and I Willian Osborn Stoddard . . 132 The City Dead- House Walt Whitman 133 The Doctor's Message Abraham Perry Miller . . . 134 Doctor O'Finnican Henry A. Van Fredenberg . 135 A Discovery in Biology Mary E. Leverett 138 The Doctor's Story Will Carleton 139 To Doctor Empiric Ben Jonson • ... 141 Viri Humani, Salsi Et Faceti, Gulielimi Sutherland! William Meston, M. A. . . 142 Surgeons Must be very Careful . . . Emily Dickinson 146 His Pneumogastric Nerve Eugene Field 147 The Army Surgeon Sydney Dobell 148 A Cure for the Gout Edward Octavus Flagg ... 149 On a Quack William Wadd 151 Surgery vs Medicine Dr. William Tod Helmuth . 152 Kindness first Known in a Hospital . Elizabeth Barrett Browning 154 In the Hospital Grace Denio Litchfield ... 155 A Young Doctor's Apology for the Smoothness of His Face Johannes Santolius 160 The Skeleton Fred Emerson Brooks ... 161 Synonymes Charlotte Fiske Bates ... 163 The Drug Clerk Francis Saltus Saltus .... 164 Granny's " Yarbs" John Langdon Heaton ... 165 The Doctor in Love Dr. Andrew McFarland . . 166 The Art OF Preserving Health — Diet. Dr. John Armstrong .... 167 Peace Born of Pain Caroline Edwards Prentiss . 181 Ode to Dyspepsia Dr. John Todhunter .... 182 The Consultation • . . . . Richard Graves 183 Too Progressive for Him Lurana W. Sheldon .... 184 The Doctor Dr. T. P. Wilson 185 "Doc" Henry Coolidge Semple. . . 187 Epitaph on a Patient Killed by a Can- cer Quack Dr. Lemuel Hopkins .... 191 Greeting to Dr. Holmes Dr. Andrew H. Smith ... 193 The Old Oaken Bucket J. C. Bayles 195 Verses TO Dr. George Rogers .... Edmund Waller 196 Fin-de-Siecle Love Song Dr. Frederick Peterson ... 197 Ode to Dr. Hahnemann, the Homceo- pathist Thomas Hood 198 TABLE OF CONTENTS Our Faith Dr. N. W. Rand 202 y^STHETics IN Medicine Dr. E. B. Ward 205 The Birth and Death of Pain .... Dr. S. Weir Mitchell .... 207 Feminine Pharmacy Dr. Harvey Washington Wiley 2 10 Rip Van Winkle, M. D Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes .211 Hygeia Grant Thy Blessing Dr. John C. Hemmeter . . 219 A Hospital Story Theron Brown 220 A Lover of Learning Eva Wilder McGlasson . . . 221 Sir Medicus Challenged Henry A. Van Fredenberg . 223 The Water of Gold Austin Dobson 224 Audi Alteram Partem Samuel Bishop 225 On Dr. Cheyne, the Vegitarian .... Dr. Andrew Wynter .... 226 On Dr. Wynter Dr. John Cheyne 226 De Arte Mcdendi Dr. D. Bethune Duffield . 227 The Young Medic and the Old .... Dr. S. F. Bennett 242 The New Doctor Charles H. Crandall .... 244 The Doctor's Wife Dr. W. J. Bell 246 The Physician's Hymn Charles Wesley 247 The Hospital at Night J. William Lloyd 249 Ballad of the Doctor's Horse .... Absalom B. Salom 250 In Hospital William Ernest Henley ... 251 Ole Docteur Fiset Dr. Wm. Henry Drummond . 271 A Medical Student's Letter Richard Dalton Williams . .273 The Doctor's Dream Anonymous 275 The Doctor Anonymous 277 Lines to a Skeleton Anonymous 278 Doctor Drollhead's Cure Anonymous 279 OuLD DocTHER Mack ARTHUR PERCivaL GrAves . 280 Appendicitis Anonymous 282 Lament of an Unfortunate Druggist . Anonymous 283 Notes 285 List of Authors 287 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE A Cure for the Gout Frontispiece From the Original by Dendy Sadler. The Anxious Moment 72 From the Painting by B. Vautier. The Doctor 142 From the Painting by Luke Fildes. The Post-Mortem 220 Introduction LDEST and most honorable of Guilds, the Doctors /l I have written much in all ages about the Science and Art of Medicine. A great building scarce suffices to hold their writings. In turn the Doctors themselves have been much written about, and here are gathered a well chosen collection of these pieces. They have been chosen not at random but so as to present, as to one who looks through a window at the stream of life hurrying along some great thoroughfare, all its phases and aspects. Through the ages from the early dawn of human existence the Medicine Man has pursued his strange yet sacred calling. Possessed of mysterious knowledge which sets them apart, dealing ever with the tremen- dous and baffling problems of life and death, looked to by all when suffering and danger impend, worshiped as divine and hailed as deliverers when the issue is good, or derided and punished for their failures, the doctors have always enjoyed strange experiences. The sufferer cannot promise too much in the hope of relief, but the danger past and the pain relieved how odious when the welcome, thrice welcome Healer is re- garded as the importunate creditor whose demand seems monstrous in the light of half forgotten suffering. Nor have the Doctors failed to show the inconsistencies and the frailties of their human nature, ever struggling with burdens too heavy to be borne, and with problems too hard to be solved. The triumph and the defeat, the glory of heroic devotion and self- sacrifice, and the meanness of avarice and ambition, have been seen and well portrayed. Through it all the belief of the people in the healing art has remained true ; through it all the aim of the Doctors has remained noble ; and the larger light of knowledge of these later days is defining clearly the splendid services rendered to humanity by medicine. It is no longer merely the personal relation of doctor to patient, and the (V) VI INTRODUCTION personal service : there is coming now the infinitely broader relation of sympathy and confidence between the entire com- munity and the whole medical profession, engaged in a common work of discovering and removing the causes of Disease. Hygiene and preventive medicine are the fields wherein the greatest triumphs of the future, as of the past, are to be achieved. But there will always remain the close and individual relation of Doctor and patient which is so well depicted in all its phases in the verses of this collection. We turn from the larger outlook of the struggle which science wages against disease, to the more narrow sphere wherein every home of the land the Doctor wages his never ending battle with the individual cases of weak- ness, of suffering, or of injury, In the poetry and in the prose of life, in its happiest drama and its wildest tragedies he has ever his important part to bear. It is good to find that the role assigned him in the unfolding scroll of Time is one of ever growing honor and importance. — William Pepper, M. D, Preface IN MAKING this anthology of medical verse, it has been my aim to produce a volume that will direct attention to the valuable poems written by the Doctor and about the Doctor. The medical profession has written much admirable poetry which has appeared chiefly in local and medical journals. I have made an effort to preserve and bring together in perma- nent form these poems, with miany old favorites by well-known authors. One limited volume would not contain all the verse written upon this subject, and I am aware that poems worthy a place have been omitted. On the other hand, a number of original poems appear which were written expressly for this book. The volume is compiled especially for the Doctor, with the hope that he may find in it a restful diversion from an ardu- ous practice. My task has been lightened by the considerate criticisms and kindly suggestions offered by members of the profession, to whom I here extend cordial thanks. For the use of copyrighted poems I gratefully acknowledge the graciousness of Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Company; Harper & Brothers; G. P. Putnam's Sons; Dodd, Mead & Company ; Lee & Shepard ; Roberts Brothers ; Frederick A Stokes Company ; Bowen-Merrill Company; Cassell Publishing Company and many of the authors represented. — I. R. W. Buffalo, N. Y., September 3rd, 1897. (vii) AN ADVANCE SUBSCRIBER TO THE EDITOR *HE Doctor's Window"! Hail the day a 4» You named your book so queer! ^ The bocTORS, one and all, will say - ?^ "You've 'read your TITLE clear'." *' Could I but read my title clear To mansions" all my own, My "doctor's window" would appear The marvel of the town. Yes, it should glow with flowers rare, With sunshine from above; The brightest gems should sparkle there. Enkindling all our love. A "window" where the light would shine On pleasures pure and bright; Where one could worship at the shrine Of poets, with delight. And such is yours to give today, "The Doctor's Window" true. That in December voices May With poems old and new. — Dr. Edward D. Freeman. (viii) THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW The Drama of the Doctor's Window IN THREE ACTS, WITH A PROLOGUE. "A tedious brief scene of young- Pyramus, And bis love Tbisbe ; very tragical mirth." Midsummer-Night's Dream. PROLOGUE 'ELL, I must wait ! " The Doctor's room. Where I used this expression, Wore the severe official gloom Attached to that profession ; Rendered severer by a bald And skinless Gladiator, Whose raw robustness first appalled The entering spectator. No one would call "The Lancet" gay,— Few could avoid confessing That Jones "On Muscular Decay" Is, as a rule, depressing: So, leaving both, to change the scene, I turned toward the shutter, And peered out vacantly between A water-butt and gutter. 10 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW Below, the Doctor's garden lay, If thus imagination May dignify a square of clay Unused to vegetation, Filled with a dismal-looking swing — That brought to mind a gallows — An empty ken'nel, mouldering, ;..' And two dysoept'c aloes. *■ c t t c « c - ' ' *■ No sparrow chirped, no daisy sprung. About the place deserted; Only across the swing-board hung A battered doll, inverted. Which sadly seemed to disconcert The vagrant cat that scanned it, Sniffed doubtfully around the skirt. But failed to understand It. A dreary spot ! And yet, I own. Half hoping that, perchance. It Might, in some unknown way, atone For Jones and for "The Lancet," I watched; and by especial grace, Within this stage contracted. Saw presently before my face A classic story acted. Ah. World of ours, are you so gray And weary. World, of spinning. That you repeat the tales today You told at the beginning? For lo 1 the same old myths that made The early "stage successes," Still "hold the boards," and still are played "With new effects and dresses." Small, lonely, "three-pair-backs" behold, Today, Alcestis dying; Today, in farthest Polar cold, Ulysses' bones are lying; THE DRAMA OF THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW 11 Still in one s morning "Times" one reads How fell an Indian Hector; Still clubs discuss Achilles' steeds, Briseis' next protector; — Still Menelaus brings, we see. His oft-remanded case on; Still somewhere sad Hypsipyle Bewails a faithless Jason ; And here, the Doctor's sill beside, Do I not now discover A Thisbe, whom the walls divide From Pyramus, her lover? ACT THE FIRST ACT I began. Some noise had scared The cat, that like an arrow Shot up the wall and disappeared ; And then across the narrow, Unweeded path, a small dark thing. Hid by a garden-bonnet. Passed wearily towards the swing. Paused, turned, and climbed upon It A child of five, with eyes that were At least a decade older, A mournful mouth, and tangled hair Flung careless round her shoulder, Dressed in a stiff ill-fitting frock, Whose black uncomely rigor Seemed to sardonically mock The plaintive, slender figure. What was it? Something in the dress That told the girl unmothered ; Or was it that the merciless Black garb of mourning smothered 13 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW Life and all light : — but rocking so, In the dull garden-corner, The lonely swinger seemed to grow More piteous and forlorner. Then, as I looked, across the wall Of "next-door's" garden, that is — To speak correctly — through its tall Surmounting fence of lattice. Peeped a boy's face, with curling hair, Ripe lips, half drawn asunder. And round, bright eyes, that wore a stare Of frankest childish wonder. Rounder they grew by slow degrees Until the swinger, swerving. Made, all at once, alive to these Intentest orbs observing, Gave just one brief, half uttered cry, And, — as with gathered kirtle. Nymphs fly from Pan's head suddenly Thrust through the budding myrtle, — Fled in dismay. A moment's space, The eyes looked almost tragic ; Then, when they caught my watching face Vanished as if by magic ; And, like some somber thing beguiled To strange, unwonted laughter, The gloomy garden having smiled, Became the gloomier after. THE DRAMA OP THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW 13 ACT THE SECOND YES: they were gone, the stage was bare,- Blank as before ; and therefore. Sinking within the patient's chair, Half vexed, I knew not wherefore, I dozed; till, startled by some call, A glance sufficed to show me. The boy again above the wall. The girl erect below me. The boy, it seemed, to add a force To words found unavailing. Had pushed a striped and spotted horse Half through the blistered paling, Where now it stuck, stiff-legged and straight, While he, in exultation. Chattered some half-articulate Excited explanation. Meanwhile, the girl, with upturned face, Stood motionless, and listened; The ill-cut frock had gained a grace. The pale hair almost glistened ; The figure looked alert and bright, Buoyant as though some power Had lifted it, as rain at night Uplifts a drooping flower. The eyes had lost their listless way, — The old life, tired and faded. Had slipped down with the doll that lay Before her feet, degraded ; She only, yearning upward, found In those bright eyes above her The ghost of some enchanted ground Where even Nurse would love her 1.4 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW Ah, tyrant Time ! you hold the book, We, sick and sad, begin it; You close it fast, if we but look Pleased for a meager minute ; You closed it now, for, out of sight, Some warning finger beckoned ; Exeunt both to left and right ; — Thus ended Act the Second. ACT THE THIRD OR so it proved. For while I still Believed them gone for ever, Half raised above the window sill, I saw the lattice quiver ; And lo, once more appeared the head. Flushed, while the round mouth pouted, " Give Tom a kiss," the red lips said. In style the most undoubted. The girl came back without a thought, Dear Muse of Mayfair, pardon, If more restraint had not been taught In this neglected garden ; For these your code was all too stiff, So, seeing none dissented, Their unfeigned faces met as if Manners were not invented. Then on the scene, by happy fate, When lip from lip had parted, And, therefore, just two seconds late, A sharp-faced nurse-maid darted ; Swooped on the boy, as swoops a kite Upon a rover chicken. And bore him sourly off, despite His well-directed kicking. THE CONVALESCENT TO HER PHYSICIAN 15 The girl stood silent, with a look Too subtle to unravel, Then, with a sudden gesture took The torn doll from the gravel ; Hid the whole face, with one caress, Under the garden-bonnet. And, passing in, I saw her press Kiss after kiss upon it. Exeunt omnes. End of play. It made the dull room brighter The Gladiator almost gay. And e'en "The Lancet" lighter. — Austin Dobson. The Convalescent to Her Physician ■* RIEND, by whose cancelling hand did Fate forgive Her debtor, and rescribe her stern award Oh with that happier light wherein I live May all thine after years be sunned and starred May God, to Whom my daily bliss I give In tribute, add it to thy day's reward. And mine uncurrent joy may'st thou receive Celestial sterling ! Aye and thou shalt thrive Even by my vanished woes : for as the sea Renders its griefs to Heaven, which fall in rains Of sweeter plenty on the happy plains. So have my tears exhaled ; and may it be That from the favoring skies my lifted pains Descend, oh friend, in blessings upon thee ! — Sydney Dobell. IS THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW Andrew Jack, M. D. f -AREWELL to the University! I'm titled now with high degree ; All capped and doctor'd forth I ride, To see the world's great pomp and pride For years I've drudged, a patient hack, With whip and driver at my back ; But now unmuzzled I propose To track the game with my own nose. The wide, wide world before me lies, With many a blank, and many a prize ; But crowns are nowhere gained by sighs ; He nobly wins who boldly tries. What made the Romans men of might But wars to wage and foes to fight ? Then let us fight like them, and win ! Or, if we lose — bad luck 's no sin ! Farewell gray hall and fusty book. And front severe and solemn look ; Long rows of lectures dull and dry. In mummied state there let them lie Farewell, proud Arthur's Seat, where oft With bouyant heart I stood aloft. And through the broad sun's crimson glow. Looked on the old gray town below, And spied afar the huge, huge Bens That gird our peaceful Highland Glens, Where birches nod, and fountains pour On ferny brae and pebbly shore. And fare-thee-well, my student's home, Far up near to the starry dome, ANDREW JACK, M. D. 17 'Mid wreaths of smoke, and bristling crops Of gables gaunt and chimney-tops ! And fare-thee-well, good Dame M' Knight., Who kept me always right and tight, And washed my clothes and brushed my hat ; God bless you, honest dame, for that ! And farewell, Nelly M'lntyre, Who smoothed my bed and trimmed my fire. Blue-eyed, blithe-hearted, bright-souled Nell ; By Jove, I loved that girl too well ! Dear blue-eyed Nell, when Dame M' Knight Called, " Come up, Nell, and put things right!" And thou shot up with three light skips. My heart leapt to my finger-tips. No courier of the heavenly clans, With light blue scarf and silver vans, Could witch my eye like view of Nell ; By Jove, I loved that girl too well! But love is not a bond to bind The full-blown sail that takes the wind ; A fair face marred Mark Antony ; So, Nell, I'll think no more of thee! Farewell, my comrades and my chums. With whom I picked dry learning's crumbs. And quaffed, four green and golden years, Life's mingled bowl of hopes and fears. God bless you all, my jolly boys! The day is past to play with toys ; I go to fight my way, — and you. Do well what thing you find to do ! I hear the railway whistle call. And brush the briny drops that fall ; I leave you now plain Andrew Jack, Perhaps I'll come Sir Andrew back! — John Stuart Blackie. 6~2 18 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW The Morning Visit ' / I SICK man's chamber, though it often boast /t" The grateful presence of a literal toast, I / Can hardly claim, amidst its various wealth, -/ »■ The right unchallenged to propose a health ; Yet though its tenant is denied the feast. Friendship must launch his sentiment at least, As prisoned damsels, locked from lovers' lips. Toss them a kiss from off their fingers' tips. The morning visit, — not till sickness falls In the charmed circles of your own safe walls ; Till fever's throb and pain's relentless rack Stretch you all helpless on your aching back ; Not till you play the patient in your turn. The morning visit's mystery shall you learn. 'Tis a small matter in your neighbor's case, To charge your fee for showing him your face ; You skip up-stairs, inquire, inspect, and touch. Prescribe, take leave, and off to twenty such. But when at length, by fate's transferred decree, The visitor becomes the visitee. Oh, then, indeed, it pulls another string; Your ox is gored, and that 's a different thing! Your friend is sick : phlegmatic as a Turk, You write your recipe and let it work ; Not yours to stand the shiver and the frown, And sometimes worse, with which your draught goes down Calm as a clock your knowing hand directs, Rhei, jalapae ana grana sex, Or traces on some tender missive's back, SCRUPULOS DUOS PULVERIS IPECAC ; And leaves your patient to his qualms and gripea Cool as a sportsman banging at his snipes. THE MORNING VISIT 19 But change the time, the person, and the place, And be yourself " the interesting case," You'll gain some knowledge which it's well to learn ; In future practice it may serve your turn. Leeches, for instance, — pleasing creatures quite ; Try them, — and bless you.— don't you find they bite? You raise a blister for the smallest cause, But be yourself the sitter whom it draws. And trust my statement, you will not deny The worst of draughtsmen is your Spanish fly ! It's mighty easy ordering when you please, Infusi sennae capiat uncias tres ; It's mighty different when you quackle down Your own three ounces of the liquid brown. PiLULA, PULvis. — pleasant words enough. When other throats receive the shocking stuff ; But oh, what flattery can disguise the groan That meets the gulp which sends it through your own J Be gentle, then, though Art's unsparing rules Give you the handling of her sharpest tools ; Use them not rashly, — sickness is enough ; Be always " ready," but be never " rough." Of all the ills that suffering man endures, The largest fraction liberal Nature cures ; Of those remaining, 't is the smallest part Yields to the efforts of judicious Art ; But simple Kindness, kneeling by the bed To shift the pillow for the sick man's head. Give the fresh draught to cool the lips that burn. Fan the hot brow, the weary frame to turn, — Kindness, untutored by our grave M. D.'s, But Nature's graduate, when she schools to please. Wins back more sufferers with her voice and smile Than all the trumpery in the druggist's pile. Once more, be quiet : coming up the stair. Don't be a plantigrade, a human bear. But, stealing softly on the silent toe. Reach the sick chamber ere you 're heard below. 20 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW Whatever changes there may greet your eyes. Let not your looks proclaim the least surprise ; It 's not your business by your face to show All that your patient does not want to know ; Nay. use your optics with considerate care, And don't abuse your privilege to stare. But if your eyes may probe him overmuch, Beware still further how you rudely touch ; Don't clutch his carpus in your ley fist, But warm your fingers ere you take the wrist. If the poor victim needs must be percussed, Don't make an anvil of his aching bust ; (Doctors exist within a hundred miles Who thump a thorax as they 'd hammer piles ;) If you must listen to his doubtful chest. Catch the essentials, and ignore the rest. Spare him ; the sufferer wants of you and art A track to steer by, not a finished chart. So of your questions : don't in mercy try To pump your patient absolutely dry ; He 's not a mollusk squirming in a dish, You 're not Agassiz, and he 's not a fish. And last, not least, in each perplexing case, Learn the sweet magic of a cheerful face; Not always smiling, but at least serene. When grief and anguish cloud the anxious scene. Each look, each movement, every word and tone Should tell your patient you are all his own ; Not the mere artist, purchased to attend, But the warm, ready, self-forgetting friend Whose genial visit in itself combines The best of cordials, tonics, anodynes. Such is the visit that from day to day Sheds o'er my chamber its benignant ray. I give his health, who never cared to claim Her babbling homage from the tongue of Fame ; Unmoved by praise, he stands by all confest. The truest, noblest, wisest, kindest, best. — Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. THE COUNTRY DOCTOR 21 The Country Doctor \ j:* HERE'S a gathering in the village, that has never been ^ outdone Since the soldiers took their muskets to the war of 'sixty-one ; And a lot of lumber-wagons near the church upon the hill, And a crowd of country people, Sunday-dressed and very still. Now each window is pre-empted by a dozen heads or more. Now the spacious pews are crowded from the pulpit to the door; For with coverlet of blackness on his portly figure spread, Lies the grim old country doctor, in a massive oaken bed. Lies the fierce old country doctor, Lies the kind old country doctor. Whom the populace considered with a mingled love and dread. Maybe half the congregation, now of great or little worth. Found this watcher waiting for them, when they came upon the earth ; This undecorated soldier, of a hard, unequal strife, Fought in many stubborn battles with the foes that sought their life. In the night-time or the day-time, he would rally brave and well. Though the summer lark was fifing, or the frozen lances fell ; Knowing if he won the battle, they would praise their Maker's name, Knowing if he lost the battle, then the doctor was to blame. 'T was the brave old virtuous doctor, 'T was the good old faulty doctor, 'Twas the faithful country doctor — fighting stoutly all the same. When so many pined in sickness, he had stood so strongly by, Half the people felt a notion that the doctor couldn't die; 22 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW They must slowly learn the lesson how to live from day to day, And have somehow lost their bearings — now this landmark is away. But perhaps it still is better that this busy life is done : He has seen old views and patients disappearing one by one ; He has learned that Death is master both of Science and of Art; He has done his duty fairly, and has acted out his part. And the strong old country doctor. And the weak old country doctor. Is entitled to a furlough for his brain and for his heart. — Will Carleton. Doctors c"*IS quite the thing to say and sing ^ Gross libels on the doctor — To picture him an ogre grim ?* Or humbug-pill concocter; Yet it's in quite another light My friendly pen would show him — Glad that it may with verse repay Some part of what I owe him I When one's all right he's prone to spite The doctor's peaceful mission ; But when he's sick, it's loud and quick He bawls for a physician ! With other things the doctor brings Sweet babes our hearts to soften ; Though I have four, I pine for more — Good doctor, pray, come often! What though he sees death and disease Run riot all around him ? Patient and true, and valorous, too, — Such have I always found him ! DOCTORS 23 Where'er he goes, he soothes our woes. And, when skill 's unavailing, And death is near, his words of cheer Support our courage failing. In ancient days they used to praise The godlike art of healing; An art that then engaged all men Possessed of sense and feeling; Why, Raleigh — he was glad to be Famed for a quack elixir, And Digby sold (as we are told) A charm for folk love-sick, sir ! Napoleon knew a thing or two, And clearly he was partial To doctors ; for, in time of war, He chose one for a marshal. In our great cause a doctor was The first to pass death's portal. And Warren's name at once became A beacon, and immortal ! A heap, indeed, of what we read By doctors is provided. For to those groves Apollo loves Their leaning is decided ; Deny who may that Rabelais Is first in wit and learning — And yet all smile and marvel while His brilliant leaves they 're turning. How Lever's pen has charmed all men — How touching Rab's short story! And I will stake my all that Drake Is still the schoolboy's glory I A doctor-man it was began Great Britain's great museum ; The treasures there are all so rare, It drives me wild to see 'em 1 24 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW There's Cuvier, Parr, and Rush — they are Big monuments to learning ; To Mitchell's prose (how smooth it flows !) We all are fondly turning ; Tomes might be writ of that keen wit Which Abernethy 's famed for — With bread-crumb pills be cured the ills Most doctors now get blamed for ! In modern times the noble rhymes Of Holmes (a great physician !) Have solace brought and wisdom taught To hearts of all condition. The sailor bound for Puget Sound Finds pleasure still unfailing. If he but troll the barcarolle Old Osborne wrote on Whaling ! If there were need I could proceed Ad naus with this prescription, But, INTER Nos, a larger dose Might give you fits conniption : Yet, ere I end, there's one dear friend i'd hold before these others. For he and I, in years gone by. Have chummed around like brothers. Together we have sung in glee The songs old Horace made for Our genial craft — together quaffed What bowls that doctor paid for ! I love the rest, but love him best, And, were not times so pressing, I'd buy and send — you smile, old friend ? Well, then, here goes my blessing ! — Eugene Fiel: DOC SIFERS 25 V Doc Sifers F all the doctors i could cite you to in this-here town, I Doc Sifers is my favo-RiTE, jes take him up and down: [Count in the Bethel Neighberhood, and Rollins, and Big Bear, And Sifers' standin 's jes as good as ary doctor's there ! There's old Doc Wick, and Glenn, and Hall, and Wurgler, and McVeigh, But I'll buck Sifers 'ginst 'em all and down 'em any day ! Most old Wick ever knowed, I s'pose, was whisky I — Wurgler—, well, He et MORphine — ef actions shows and facts 's reliable. But Sifers — though he ain't no sot, he's got his faults ; and yit When you git Sifers onc't, you've got a doctor, don't fergit 1 He ain't much at his office, er his house, er anywhere You'd natchurly think certain fer to ketch the feller there. But don't blame Doc : he's got all sorts o' cur'ous notions — as The feller says, — his odd-come-shorts — like smart men mostly has : — He'll more'n like be potter'n 'round the Blacksmith Shop ; er in Some back-lot, spadin' up the ground, er gradin' it agin ; Er at the workbench, planin' things ; er buildin' little traps To ketch birds ; galvenizin' rings ; er graftin' plums, perhaps. Make anything ! — good as the best 1 — a gunstock — er a flute. — He whittled out a set o' chessmen onc't o' laurel-root, Durin' the Army — got his trade o' surgeon there — I own Today a finger ring Doc made o' sealin'-wax and bone! An' glued a fiddle onc't fer me — jes' all so busted you 'D a-throwed the thing away, but he fixed her as good as new! 26 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW And take Doc, now, in aigger, say, er cramps ; er rheumatiz ;^ And all afflictions thataway, and he 's the best they is ! Er janders — milksick — I don't keer — k-yore anything he tries,— A felon — er a frost-bit' yeer — er granilated eyes. There was the Widder Daubenspeck they all give up fer dead — With fits, and " ligture o' the neck," and clean out of her head 1— First had this doctor, what's-his-name, from Puddlesburg ; and then This little red-head, " Burnin' Shame," they call him — Dr Glenn. And they " consulted " on the case, and claimed she'd haf to die. . . . I jes' was joggin' by the place, and heerd her daughter cry. And stops and calls her to the fence ; and I-says-I, " Let me Send SiFERS — bet you fifteen cents he'll k-yore her ! " " Well," says she, " Light out! " she says. — And, lipp-tee-cut I I loped in town — and rid 'Bout two hours more to find him, but I scored him when 1 did! He wuz down at the Gunsmith Shop, a-stuffln' birds ! . . . Says he, " My sulky's broke." Says I, " You hop right on and ride with me!" I got him there ! . . . " Well, Aunty, ten days k-yores you," Sifers said, " But what's yer idy linger'n' when they want you Overhead? " And there's Dave Banks — jes' back from war without a scratch — one day Got ketched up in a sickle-bar — a reaper-runaway ; — His shoulders, arms, and hands and legs jes' sawed in strips !— And Jake Dunn starts fer Sifers, — feller begs to shoot him, pity's-sake! Doc, 'course, was gone; but he had penned the notice — "At Big Bear — Be back tomorry: Gone to 'tend the Bee Convention there." TO DR. (AFTERWARDS SIR EDWARD) WILMOT 27 But Jake, he tracked him ! — rid and rode the whole indurin' night ! And 'bout the time the roosters crowed they both hove into sight. Doc had to ampitate — but 'greed to save Dave's arms, and said He COULD a-saved his legs ef he'd got there four hours ahead. Doc's wife's own mother purt' nigh died onc't 'fore he could be found. And all the neighbers, fur and wide, a-all jes chasin' round! — Tel finally, — I had to laugh, — 't'uz jes like Doc, you know, — Was learnin' fer to telegraph, down at the old Dee-po. But all they're faultln' Sifers fer, they 's none of 'em kin say He's blggoty, er keerless, er not posted anyway; He ain't built on the common plan o' doctors nowadays, — He's jes' a great big brainy man — that's where the trouble lays! — James Whitcomb Riley. To Dr. (Afterwards Sir Edward) Wilmot WITH doubtful strife, Humanity and Art For conquest vie in Wilmot's head and heart. On his loved son Apollo did bestow The healing power, and words to soften woe. With sympathizing eyes and tender mind He views the maladies of human-kind ; Reprieves the languid patient from the grave, While Pity soothes whom Medicine cannot save ! — William Duncombe. 38 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW In a Dissecting Room IGHTLESS eyes half closed beneath Long, black lashes curling yet ; Wavy locks the pale face wreathe With the salty drops still wet. Lying there so silently Womanhood reproachful seems ; 'Tis a face that we may see Reappear in troubled dreams. Lifeless, wasted arm and hand Stripped of skin by scalpel keen ; Shining tendons, band on band Ligaments and muscles seen. Wondrously the fingers move, Answering to the testing touch Of each muscle far above, Whilst the learner marvels much Searcher, would that thou couldst find What mysterious power once moved That dead form ! How vain and blind This long quest of ours has proved ! Now the forceps and the knife Merciless attack the face Eagerly with death at strife, Winning by a swifter pace. Inch by inch the clinging skin With reluctance parting shows Unknown wonders far within. Sources whence expression flows. ODE TO A DOCTOR 29 Tiny threadlike muscles here Teach the lips to move in smile*; Draw the eyelids tense with fear, Close them when soft sleep beguiles. These have knit the brows to frown ; Those have taught the mouth to kiss ; Care and pain have oft weighed down Wrinkling forehead's calm with this These once spread the nostrils wide When in anger breath came fast ; Or when blew from ocean's tide Airs of health caught ere they passed. Magic house, where sometime dwelt Spirit, soul, howe 'er 'tis known! Ah, what thrills thy walls have felt 1 Whither has thy tenant flown ? If this ruined home appear Wonderful beyond compare, What was then the dweller here That could vanish into air ? — Dr. William Burt Harlow Ode to a Doctor THE Doctor comes, and quick prescribes; And then, when we are better, He sends a bill that reads like this : "To Dr. Cureall, Dr." For when we 're in the grasp of Pain, And he has come and knocked her, We surely must admit that we Are Dr. to our Dr. — James G. Burnett. 30 THE DOCTOR'S WINDOW 5 A Ballade of Busy Doctors 'HEN winter pipes in the poplar-tree, And soles are shod with the snow and sleet — When sick-room doors close noiselessly, And doctors hurry along the street ; When the bleak north winds at the gables beat, And the flaky noon of the night is nigh, And the reveler's laugh grows obsolete. Then Death, white Death, is a-driving by. When the cowering sinner crooks his knee, . At the cradle-side, in suppliance sweet, And friends converse in a minor key, And doctors hurry along the street ; When Croesus flies to his country seat. And castaways in the garrets cry. And in each house is a " shape and a sheet," Then Death, white Death, is a-driving by. When the blast of the autumn blinds the bee, And the long rains fall on the ruined wheat. When a glimmer of green on the pools we see. And doctors hurry along the street ; When every fellow we chance to meet Has a fulvous glitter in either eye. And a weary wobble in both his feet, Then Death, white Death, is a-driving by. ENVOY. When farmers ride at a furious heat. And doctors hurry along the street. With brave hearts under a scowling sky, Then Death, white Death, is a-driving by. Dr. James Newton Matthews. MY FIRST PATIENT 31 My First Patient 'HAT shall I say, when all my friends tonight Have blazed in such a galaxy of light; How can I sing, when all around me here Speaks of naught else than Pittsburg's jovial cheer ; What shall I do to raise my name to glory, — With your permission, may I tell a story? 'Tis not a story such as doctors tell A dying patient, that he '11 soon "get well " If he, all medication being vain, Will seek the balmy air of distan