A DOCTOR'R HEROISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3742, 17 January 1907, Page 4

A DOCTOR'R HEROISM.

Dramatic Bedside Story.

The story of the doctor who fell on evil days and became a common labourer in a factory at Widnes, Lancashire, has interesting developments. The doctor in question—Dr Marcus Eustace — told his story of misfortune recently in the Liverpool Bankruptcy Court. When this was printed it drew from a correspondent of the “ Daily Mail ” the following dramatic narrative: —

It was midnight. A sudden ring of the night-bell aroused the doctor from his slumbers. ‘ ‘ Who is it ? What do you want?" he enquired at the speaking tube. “Mrs Morris of the Grange stables is taken worse. They think she is dying. Will you please come at once, sir ?’’ “ All right, my man. I will be with you in a minute.” Hastily preparing himself for a long and cold drive, the doctor took his place by the driver’s side. Half an hour later be stood by the bedside in the sick room. No well-appointed chamber of _ a wealthy client this, but just an illlighted, scantily-furnished room of a poor cottager. The woman’s husband and a kind neighbouring woman stood by the bedside anxiously awaiting the doctor’s verdict.

One glance was sufficient. “ God help j'ou, my man. I am afraid I can do nothing to save

her.” The man sobbed

“ There is one chance, a slight chance,” said the doctor in a while. “Tell me Morris, are you prepared to make a great sacrifice, maybe to risk your life, to save that of vour wife ?”

- “ I would die for her, doctor,” the man replied in a hoarse voice. “ And yet.” continued the docter, ’‘ I doubt if in your case it would be efficacious. You are weak and worn-out with anxiety and watching.” The docter paused for a moment in thought. “ Here, bring the light nearer, and be ready to assist me.” The man held the light and watched the doctor as he divested himself of his coat. And then and there without any qualified assistance, and for the sake of this poor and humble woman, one of the greatest and noblest acts of heroism was performed. Baring his own arm, the doctor, without hesitation, made an incision and injected into the woman blood from his own veins. Few without surgical knowledge realise the danger of the operation known as “transfusion.” It is at all times a dangerous operation. The slightest hitch or error and the life of both doctor and patient would be sacrificed. The patient recovered. The doctor lives today in the person of Marcus Eustace, whose sad story was described in the “ Daily Mail.” Eighteen years ago I had the honour of knowing him personally. He is my ideal of a true-herrted and noble man.