Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1877 — The Glorious Fourth. [ARTICLE]

The Glorious Fourth.

[Tuck’s Leaf from a Physician's Diary.] NEW Yohk, Wednesday. -Ith July, ht:—GOT’ saw’s, splints, knives, tourniquets, ligature silk. Eased stopper of extra bottle of carbolic acid. Polished up probes. Don’t think the sweet oil for burns quite as good as last. Have I enough Hour and violet powder? Guess so. Where the deuce is the chloroform? Ah! there’s enough lint and bandages, and 1 mustn’t run short of cotton. Hope I shall have a good day. But why didn’t that scoundrel of a Deadhead send in extra coffins, small sizes? I’ll never deal with him again. I’ll operate on or repair anybody’s small boy—be he Jew or Christian. Where’s the arnica? That’s all right—business ought to begin soon—if very busy, shall send for young Quizass to help me. sa. m.— Look sd up “finger and hand amputation” in Surgeons’ Vade Mecum—must keep posted—what delightful reading. 6a. m. —What music to mine ears—firing has already commenced —but must have patience. Consulted latest authorities on barns, gun-shot and splinter wounds. 6:30 a, tn.—Breakfast ready—very nice —drank my own health, and'wished myself luck in bottle of Chateau Yquem. 7 a. m. —Loud explosions on all sides. Ah! that sounded like the bursting of a small cannon. Ring at br 11—hurrah! Small boy with trifling injuries—a premature explosion—only one finger blown oil, a.<d eyes injured. Amputated two lingers and put in glass eye. Young rascal, of course, will, never be able to sec out of that eye any more. Said he didn’t care a cent for that, but he guessed he’d have his fun on the Fourth. His father gave me $25 for the job. Not a bad beginning. ■v a. m.— l’ve been very busy for the last hour—but nothing particularly serious. Four boys operated on, and bandaged three for burns. .Cbanee for lockjaw in one—interesting case—unexpected discharge of pistol the cause —but barrel was bad too—piece ol it had blown away right thumb. Cash for lees so far, $l4O. Think I shall have to send for Quizass. What a glorious Fourth! , sa. in. —First dead boy. Couldn’thave fitted coffin better had it been made for him. Small cannon had buret, two or three of the nice large pieces had lodged in his abdomen. Deadhead must sell caskets cheaper—toy profits arc not large enough. Offered afflicted father a glass of Chateau Yquem—all there was left in the bottle.

11 a. m. —Am nearly dead with work. Coffins going like hot-cakes. Shall be obliged to send for Quizass. 3p. in.— $250 already. “A very pretty case—burns on a nice-looking baby—frolicsome boy put a bundle of lighted fire-crackers in little one’s coat—just fora joke. It may not be able to hear again—bat will come out all right—with only cheeks disfigured, loss of hair and portion of scrip. sp. m. —Quizass helping me. Have just taken bullet out of policeman’s leg, and set a fireman’s arm—latter fell off ladder at a fire caused by chasers. op. m. —Can only now attend to select patients—must seqd others to Bellevue. 9:30 p. m. —Firing grows louder and louder. Have just amputated a leg. Stupid individual run over by wagonhorse took fright at a Roman candle. Total receipts forday’a work, $487. Think I shall let up. Gave Quizass $lO 10 p.m. —The house is in flames—a badly-fired rocket came in through sec-ond-story window and ignited mosqnitob&re. Building can’t be saved. As I’ve only a hall-bedroom and an office, it don’t matter to me. Gathered up instruments and trunk, and took them with me in carriage to Windsor Hotel —where I shall stay for next few days. Loss of things rather awkward for other inmates df house —but I really can’t complain. Good .night! Hurrah for the glorious Fourths It takes seven years for the Roumanian peasant women who sell thqir hair to grow a crop for the market.