Volume 2

Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren].

  • Warren, Samuel, 1807-1877
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    108/462 (page 98)
    and might prove wild and unmanageable. He was therefore removed at once to a house within a few doors oflP, which was let out in furnished lodgings. Dr D-accompanied him, and bled him immediately, very copiously. I have no doubt that Mr N-owed his life to that timely measure. He was placed in bed, and put at once under the most vigorous antiphlogistic treatment. The next evening beheld Dr D-, the Dean of-, and myself, around the bedside of Agnes. All of us expressed the most gloomy apprehensions. The dean had been offering up a devout and most affecting prayer. “ Well, my friend,” said he to me, “ she is in the hands of God All that man can do has been done; let us resign ourselves to the will of Providence !” “ Ay, nothing but a miracle can save her, I fear,” replied Dr D-. “ How much longer do you think it probable, humanly speak¬ ing, that the system can continue in this state, so as to give hopes of ultimate recovery ?” enquired the dean. “ I cannot say,” I replied with a sigh. “ She rnmt sink, and speedily. She has not received, since she was first seized, as much nourishment as would serve for an infant’s meal! ” “ I have an impression that she will die suddenly,” said Dr D-; “ possibly within the next twelve hours; for I cannot understand how her energies can recover from, or bear longer, this fearful paralysis ! ” “ Alas, I fear so to ! ” * * * “ I have heard some frightful instances of premature burial in cases like this,” said the dean. “ I hope you will not think of committing her remains to the earth, before you are satisfied, beyond a doubt, that life is extinct.” I made no reply—my emotions nearly choked me— I could not bear to contemplate such an event. “ Do you know,” said Dr D-, with an apprehensive air, “ I have been thinking latterly of the awful possibility, that, notwithstanding the stagnation of her pliysical powers, her MIND may be sound, and perfectly conscious of all that has transpired about her ! ’