Cleanings.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 749, 22 June 1894, Page 2

Cleanings.

§ Deserved the Victoria Cross.

A recent number of the London Gazette announces that the Queen has conferred the Victoria Cross upon Surgeon Major Lloyd of the army medical staff for his gallantry during the operations against the Kachins last year.

During the attack on the Sima fort by the Kachins on January 6, 1893, the commanding officer, Captain Morton, while visiting a picket about 80 yards distant, was wounded. Surgeon Major Lloyd, accompanied by a native officer, at once ran out to help him under a heavy fire. When, however, the wounded man was reached, it was found necessary to send back for more help, and Surgeon Major Lloyd had thus to remain with Captain Morton for some minutes. The enemy, who were within 10 or 15 paces, were all the time keeping up a heavy fire and killed 4 men, one of them being a bugler who was helping to carry Captain Morton. The Victoiia Cross was probably never earned more gallantly.

Surgeon Major Lloyd would Lave delighted Frederick the Great as one of the men who show no violent wish to ‘ live for ever.’ His example is also useful to the soldier in showing that there are practically no war risks through which it is impossible to come out with safety. This is a very important lesson for those who have to fight. Soldiers will run almost any amount of risk, but the certainty of death is apt to appal. It is sad to record that the man to save whom Lloyd risked his life so bravely died almost directly he was taken into the fort.

An Emperor’s Humility.

When Madame de Krudner was in the zenith of her spiritual powers, says Charles Ford in his biography of her, she exercised a wonderful influence for good over Emperor Alexander, the most autocratic of all the rulers of Europe. Napoleon had been banished, and Alexander was in Paris untangling the affairs of State. When one remembers the barrier that separates the Czar from his servant, the following incident will illustrate a remarkable degree of humility : One evening when the Emperor was crossing the anteroom of Madame de Krudncr’s hotel, he turned to his attendant valet and asked him whether he bad executed an order which he had given him. ‘ Sire, I had forgotten it,’ replied the confused Joseph. ‘ When I give an order,’ retorted the Emperor, with great severity of expression, ‘ I expect it to be carried out, and failure cannot be overlooked.’ When the Czar entered the salon, his hostess noticed that his manner was constrained.

‘ Sire, what is the matter ? You seem troubled,’ she inquired. ‘ Nothing, Madame,’ was the answer, ‘it is nothing. Pardon, inadame, I will return immediately.’ He left the room, and going to his valet said :

* Joseph, I must apologise; I was too severe in my manner just now.’

‘ But, sire ’

‘ 1 must beg you to forgive me,’ continued the Emperor, and finding bis servant too overwhelmed to reply, he seized him by the hand and repeated, ‘Say that you forgive me.’ t Yes, sire,’ stammered the mystified servant, and his imperial master, after thanking him, returned in a relieved frame of mind to his spiritual directress.

Dauger of Trivial Wounds.

A medical paper commits itself to the statement that many lives are lost each year in consequence of the lack of a little common sense respecting

simple cuts or wounds on the bands or other parts. Several cases have been recorded of inquests relating to persons who have died from blood-poisoning arising from small cuts on the hands. 1 lie history in all of these cases varies but little, and is practically the same. A man, for example, while working at his trade, or even while carrying out the simple detail of cutting a piece of bread, receives a small cut on the band. The injury is so trivial that anything is considered good enough with which to stop the bleeding, and this end having been attained, no more is thought of it. The small wound is left to take care of itself, and is exposed to all sorts of filthiness and sources of infection. By good luck nothing may happen ; but the public will do well to bear in mind that from the most trivial injury to the skin acute septicaemia may supervene and may rapidly be followed by a fatal termination. By thorough attention to cleanliness the untoward consequences of a wound liable to become infected can be effectually prevented. On the other hand, when the septicaemia attack has declared itself, as a rule, little can be done by the surgeon to stem the virulence with which it develops. It should, therefore, be borne in mind that so long as wounds, however small, remain unhealed, the risk of contracting blood-poisoning will always be present.

A Cool Head. The fellow-campaigner with the late General Cureton, who died at Kearaney, near Dover, sends the following story illustrative of the gallant officer’s * sang froid ’ when on active service. During the Kaffir War, General Cureton and three other officers were sitting in a bell tent playing whist by the light of a candle stack in a bottle. A desultory fire was kept up by the enemy, but of this no notice was taken, although several shots passed clean through the tent. Presently, however, a bullet struck the bottle candlestick, putting the light out, The cards were carefully laid face downwards, and, calling out the guard, General Cureton ordered them to pour a volley in the direction of the firing. He then procured another bottle, relit the candle, and the game was quietly finished, General Cureton and his partner winning the rubber.

FLETCHER’S PILLS never fail to cure

INDIGESTION, COSTIVENESS, SOUR BREATH, HEARTBURN, LIVER DISEASE, and KIDNEY COMPLAINTS.

FLETCHER’S PILLS and CLEMENTS I'ONIC are the recognised household remedies of the Australian Colonies, and every designing quack tries to trade on their reputation and renown. This is the greatest proof of their merit, and sufferers want to be particular to get the genuine articles as regret and disappointment are sure to follow the use of the thousands of ‘ All-failing’ remedies so freely advertised. The reputation and widespread use of Clements Tonic and Fletcher's Pills are the greatest proofs of their appreciation by the public. If they were not as represented they would have passed out of memory long ere this; but instead their sale is greater and they are more esteemed day by day and week by week, and this emphatically proves their undisputed supremacy. Listen to no argument from interested parties; demand the genuine article and TAKE NO SUBSTITUTE.

Don't go farther than yoa see ahead.