mingling oil with water--that we could unite on
any thing reasonable or desirable. He still clung to medicine, as his
sheet-anchor in the case, while I was for depending, mainly, on a strict
conformity to the laws of health, and the restorative efforts of Nature.

There were other difficulties. A part of the family still inclined to a
reliance on him and his old system, while the rest were in favor of my
general views, as far as they understood them. The patient herself
sometimes inclined to one, and sometimes to the other. While in health,
she had been a woman of much decision of character; but, in her present
condition, she was weak and vacillating.

But there was, at length, a partial blending of the inharmonious
elements, and a prescription made out. It did not satisfy, however.
There was so strong a leaning to nature, that, after my departure, Dr.
K. gradually worked his way back to his old system of full medication,
as a letter received a few weeks afterwards plainly indicated. For, as
the great change in her treatment which we made, left her no mystical
props to lean upon, and as Dr. K. was a little disposed to speak to her
in a way which was calculated to increase her fears, it preyed upon her
mind so much that, though her diseased tendencies gradually diminished,
yet the continual croakings of her would-be friends, and the
faithlessness of a half-sick and wholly sombre physician, more than
counteracted every favorable tendency.

In about two weeks after I saw her, she began to have more heat and pain
in the stomach, with some other threatening symptoms,--probably induced
by an attempt to use food prescribed for her, but which was too
stimulating. Her physician now, to gratify both his own morbid feelings,
and the clamor of her friends, ordered brandy and other stimulating
drinks; also morphine and camphor powders, and a new relay of
stimulating food.

The sequel of the story, as related by a sister of the patient, is as
follows:--

"Soon after I wrote you last (which was the letter containing an account
of the strange resort to beef, brandy, morphine and camphor), she began
to fail very fast, and Dr. K. informed her that she could live but a
very short time. But she clung to life, and it was distressing to see
her going down to the grave, while we were doing nothing to help her. We
spoke to her about sending for you again; but she said you were a great
way off, and if you could come at all, which was doubt