OFF THE HIGHWAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 16 August 1913, Page 6

OFF THE HIGHWAY.

♦ IN THE "THEATRE." FINDING A BETTER ROAD, [BY "Meke MEEE."] "How interesting!" It was tho house surgeon's remark anj lie was addressing two other Burgeons who woro on tho visiting staff list for that ward. They had just completed an exnuiination of a lately-admitted patient and some revelation of the diagnosis, together with a relation of tlio symptoms, luid caused tho ejaculation. Consulting together in an undertone, the surgeons wero gazing at tho man in the bed as a sculptor might gaze at a slab of marble; eacli analysing the possibilities of practical periormancQ in surgery or art. "I think it's our old' friend the appendix aguin, wa3 the verdict of tho snrgeon whose "case" it was. And then turning to tho "case" whosS anxious lined face showed his keen perception of tho medical deliberations, ho said: "We'll 'do' you to-morrow at half-past eleven." And the trio moved along while tho nurso made an entry 011 her note-shoet.

It was just abnut noon, and tho ordeal was still twenty-four hours off—tjtiat day week it would be well past and he would bo getting well ajain. A jolly nuisance though; 110 had stood a good chance of his representative football cap that seoson, till that persistent pain had taken him low and now it was "our old friend tho appendix."

"They'll cut off your 'tucker'!" Thus consolingly did a fellow patient break in or. liis reflection"!. "But cheer up; they're going to 'do' you in tho morning,' so you'll be out of the chloroform in timo to have a look round before nialit time. That's all right, I oti.n tell you," he rattled .on. "That's how it was when they first opera tod on me; and I wish thev'd have another 'go.' I'm ready any time they like."

Poor little fellow I Jus 1 , a morsel of mankind, but a fell disease had him in a remorseless clutch and only that morning, driven to it by his repeated mieries, the surgeon had told him that there was no chance—to operate was useless. Hone springs eternal tliongh; ho did not despair. Had he not in the cable messages in that morning's newspaper seen where a serum had been discovered for his molady, and perhaps that would cure him where he was jold the knifp would fail.'

The new "ease" listened, but in tlio strangeness of his surroundings it was but inattentively. The sight of tlio nurses' _ continual succession of duties: the arrival of an accident case: an inspection of the ward by the matron; the-ii tended to slightly deflect his thoughts from the morrow.

And then came along the nurse in whose particular charge lie was.

"You're a nice humbug, Dunraven," she chirruped banteringly. "I had such on important appointment {or to-morrow morninc. and new your' spoils it, as I'll havo to go to the 'theatre' with yon."

"Pleased, I'm sure," paid Dunraven. "I'd like to cancel the appointment though."

The nurse smiled. "Anyhow." (she contiuued, "there's one consolation—vou'ro Dr.' Scalnel's 'ease,' ond he operates eo nicely—it's good to watch him."

Dunraven said that he wns indeed nlcassd to hear that as ho would perforco be there.

The afternoon dragged along, but Dunraven still acutely grudged the passage of his period of respite. A friend called in to "cheer him up" he said, and started off by saying how ill he looked. TTo was pleased v/hen this Job's oomforter left.

It seemed to be a golden sunset and on Hie opposite wall the vellow rays wera playing. Gradually they faded and n tlio twilight quietness Dunraven yearnedLet mo move lylowl'y through t-lie street,

Filic:l ifcith an cvcr-sWfthv? twin, Ami'] the sound of steps tliat beat

The muirmnrinij waiku like autumn rain. But tho crowded street was not for him —at least not just then. Tlio unusual events' of the (lay induced at last a tired drowsiness. He dozed through some hours, but wlicu fully awake again he could hear tho traincars still complaining!? moaning along tho highway. It could not be midnight—he had at least another twolvo houis. Tightly ho rolled himself in tho bedclothes—li-e woui.n sleep. But the wooing was hard and fitful—minuf:! passed like hours—lie knew not whether lie wanted Hicm to bo leaden- or fleetfooted. Never did ho so cravo fcr tho daylight, and yot—

A sunlit ward, and its brightness heartened Dunraven. The doomed mnu next to him luid also said 'that operations for appendicitis were now regarded as being in tho same category as tooth-pulling. Oil moved tho hands of timo —11 —11.15—11.2.5 —and in quickly swung tho operating theatre carriage. "Your turn for a rido this morning,'' says its attendant. Tho liurso dashes along to "dress him for tho theatre" as she calls it, and before, ho has timo to get nervous ho is being wliirlod away. lie is in the theatre. No overturn plaving; 110 rustling throng; no circles of seated people. J list a scrupulously spick and span; white-walled square room, with every possible ogress for light; lit, also, by softly-glowing cloctric lights. At tho ta'blo Oil which ho is placed tho anaesthetist is standing; in a corner two nurses are in busy preparation. Tho anaesthetist sounds tlio "cats©" with 1119 , stethoscope. , ~ "All right," he calls out, and then iiv an alcovo Dunraven's oyo catches a! giimpso of surgeons in overalls. A metal gauzy mask, covored with hnt, is placed over iiis noss and mouth. Drip, drip, falls a clear liquid on to tho lint from a small bottle. "Breathe deeply," whispers the Minesthctist, to whom another doctor is now chatting on a question of golf play. The chloroform-ether fumes bocomo prouounecd, but the man on the tablo still retains his sensibility; he tells tho doctor that he thinks lie lias got him and his bottle "stymied," when —- Clack-clack, clack-a-lack, clack-clack; a train is rushing along; it is (earing through a station, with milo upon milo of platforms; tremendous boconies tlio speed.' A tunnel is entered, with its interminablo sing-sor.g drono of pent-up clatter. Out again into 'the light, but up, up, up: nothing but fleecy clouda .everywhero. 110 hangs desperately on. Mow are. now eternal snow-fields; a silvern band winding through. Ho knows—it is the- Yukon, lint why travel to Alaska, and fo perilously? ... "You're nil right, old chap. A voico penetrates through tho haziness. "Just lio still." ' . A rounding-up of his faculties comincnccs. Yes, lie is back in bed again. Why don't they operate on him, he wants ■to know. The nurse puts her fingers to his lips. Ho must be quiet. Later she brings him n letter-card missivo. Sho breaks away the perforation. v She will hare to read it for him, even ' if it is from his sweetheart. But tho chloroform aftermath is still upon him, and ho catches only a fragment—"delighted to hear (hat you went through Ihe theatre 'to-day . . . suecrs>fully and valiantly, amid ' tho plaudits of i!n nurses."

A day or two later, and fir. Sc-alpol and tho house «nrgmn are once more in conference at li is bedside. , "And yen say von have lost that peculiar pnin now?" tile latter asked. The pniient nodded. "How interesting!"- Or.ce more iho houso surgeon expressed Ilis <!■•- light. "And,' 1 lie continued to Dr. Sciilpel, "I thought the laws of lr-rdical sriei:ce were even as those of the Jli'dcs and Persians." A triumphant smile spread ever tlio operating surgeon's faee. He had wr.l used his block of marble; from a piotiyo of mail's misery lie had fashioned a model villi arms outstretched to tho l!oad to Health.