Speeches, poems, and miscellaneous writings on subjects connected with temperance and the liquor traffic / by Charles Jewett.

  • Jewett, Charles, 1807-1879.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Speeches, poems, and miscellaneous writings on subjects connected with temperance and the liquor traffic / by Charles Jewett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    may wish to purchase, but it will not do for the physician to refuse to attend his family, if they be sick, though he may not have the slightest prospect of reward. If his own human- ity did not compel him, public opinion would. Yes, sir, we must go and serve the sick wife or child of the drunkard, when the call comes, although we know, before we take one step, that we shall never receive one cent for the service of past years, or that which we are now called upon to perform ; and I can assure my auditors that I have often been made to feel any thing but amiable by the pressure of such a dire necessity. Often, when worn and wearied by professional labor, anxiety, and long watchings in the sick room, and when it would seem almost impossible to keep my eyes open for another hour, when I would cheerfully have given a five dollar bill for assurance of a quiet night's sleep, 1 have thrown myself down on my couch, and, just as I was going off into a comfortable oblivion of thought and care, I have been aroused by the rap, rap, rap on my door, and the Halloo, doctor! turn out! Well, sir, I pull my eyes open with a desperate effort, and, but half alive, as it were, find my way to the door. Halloo here! what is wanted ? Why, doctor, I want you to go and see my little boy. He is severely sick, and I am afraid he won't live till morning. Your boy sick? Let me see. Who are you ? I do not recognize your voice, and it is so dark I cannot see your person. Why, doctor, it is Mr. so and so. Ah, yes, I know you. And, Mr. Chairman, I have more than once uttered, in an under tone, I know you too well, much better than I could wish. I go, sir, and serve the family; and what is my reward ? The privilege of going again, when there shall come such a night as that in which Tarn O'Shanter parted with Souter Johnny and the grog-shop, and, rendered courageous by John Barleycorn, — Skelpit on, through dub and mire, Despising wind, and rain, and fire, knowing that every cent of money such patrons might receive