Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1871 — “Spotted Fever” and Temperance. [ARTICLE]

“Spotted Fever” and Temperance.

It is more than likely that the present alarm ah ml lt spotted fever” is likely to do more for the temperance causo-in this city than any agency yet discovered. A case, to the point took place at the West End a few nights since* Tne symptoms of the new disease had Ix-en thoroughly canvassed at the tea-table, and each member of the , Family had retired fully prepared for death. About midnight the gentleman ot the house, who Lad bien down town to “ see a man,” and had seen him once too - often; returned home and retired. In a few minutes his heavy breathing (which is a symptom) attracted his wife’s attention, and she nervously inquired what was the matter. The unconscious patient murmured “ psqn i-head ” That was enough. The alarmed wife tore into the next room, consulted a lady inend who had once seen a ease, found it was a sure thing, and then both rushed in together to save his life. A frantic excursion into (lie kitchen brought up all the mustard there was in the house and nearly all the there was in the hydrant boiling hot, and ia a very few moments the victim, who was dreaming of Qcroi's and other champagne punch, was waked up, sad there he was up to his knees In hot water, with three or four yards of red-hot mustard plasters festooning his proud form. Under the impression that he had waked up in that other and hotter world, be feebly murmured “spare my life,” which his anxious wife taking to be “ farewell, my wife,” burst into tears, and at once put on a yard or two more of plus-, ter. As it is a well known fact that where two women have .. man all to "themselves to doctor him, h.s hold on life is of tbe frailest kind, the “spitted fever” suffer begged to be let out, which was not done, however, until he had given categorical answers to all sorts of medical questions, such as whether he had a pain in ms back (which it would have been quite astonhhing if he hadn’t], and if his head felt all right (which it would have been quite astonishing if it had), and if he felt like he could go to sleep now (which he solemnly swore he could—if they’d let him.) About daybreak the pocr fellow’ was permitted to get back to bed so thoroughly parboiled that he don’t know when he will be able to put on his clothes, and is thinking of ordering a dress suit of jnosquito' netting. Of course, he never had env spotted fever, but he hopes he raay have before he ever lets champagne get him into a scrape like that again.— Riehr.iohd ( Va.) Dispatch.