thoughts inward, and watching
his own feelings, and perhaps relating his woes to every one he meets
with. We must learn to forget ourselves, at least a part of the time,
and think of others, if we are in earnest to get rid of chronic disease.
I do not say, of course, that everybody would recover of disease, even
if they acted right in every particular; but this I _do_ say, that if
every person who is ill would act wisely, and if their physicians, in
every instance, were wise enough to take the best course, the number of
these standing patients would soon dwindle to a very small remnant.
Instead of thousands, or tens of thousands, it would soon be reduced to
hundreds.

CHAPTER XXX.

KILLING A PATIENT.

President Lindsley, late of one of our south western colleges,--a very
shrewd and observing, as well as learned and excellent individual--has
been often heard to say that no half-educated young physician ever
succeeded in obtaining a good run of professional business, and a fair
medical reputation, without despatching prematurely to the other world,
at least as many as half a dozen of his patients.

It is said that most rules have their exceptions; and it is even
affirmed by some, that the exceptions strengthen the rule. If this is
so, perhaps the rule of Pres. L. may stand; though to many it seems at
first exceedingly sweeping. One known exception to its universality may
be worth mentioning, on which the reader may make his own comments, and
from which he may draw his own inferences. I was so fortunate for one,
as to attain to the eminence he mentions, without killing any thing
_like_ half a dozen patients; at least, so far as I know.

And yet, as I verily fear and most honestly confess, I _did_ kill one or
two. Not, of course, with malice aforethought, for they were among my
very best friends; and one in particular was a near and highly valued
neighbor. Let me give you a few details concerning the latter. It may
serve as a lesson of instruction, as well as a confession.

He was about six feet high, with large vital organs; and though by no
means possessed of a strong constitution, yet in virtue of a most rigid
temperance, generally healthy. He was, however, subjected to the
habitual influences of a most miserable cookery. Indeed, I never knew
worse. Seldom, if ever, did he pass a single week--I might even say a
single day--without having his alimentary organs irritated to
subinflammation by more or fewer o