The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 251: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SICK -BED 229 ‘‘T think you and I have played uncommonly well into each other’s hands for some years past.” ‘‘ And we have feathered our nests accordingly,’’ answered Thurston. ‘“‘ But I very much fear that our profession, to which we are so deeply attached, is menaced by a variety of newfangled doctrines.” “No doubt of it,’ replied Copperas. ‘‘ We must write down all attempts at innovation. Wherever we see an individual propounding doctrines calculated to simplify the medical art and destroy its delusions, we must gibbet him unmercifully in the professional publications.”’ ‘Oh, of course,’ rejoined Doctor Thurston. “‘ Not but that the present system will last our time. We are, however, in honour bound to hand it down intact to the rising genera- tion of medical men. Fees, my dear friend, are the very life and soul of our profession.”’ ‘“‘’'To be sure, and so here is success to fees,’”’ said Doctor Copperas, pouring out another glass of sherry. ‘‘ And consultations, too,’’ added Thurston. ‘‘ We must always recommend the propriety of consultations in any doubtful cases.”’ ‘“ By the bye,” interjected Doctor Copperas, ‘‘ was it not uncommon good the other day, when the old Dowager Countess of Catamaran cut her thumb with a penknife, and I persuaded her that a consultation was absolutely necessary? I knew she was good for a fee of ten guineas each, and that she liked the solemnity and importance attendant upon a consultation. Besides, she was in a des- perate fright. So I thought I would humour her.”’ “Do tell me how you managed it,’”’ said Doctor Thurston, laughing. “T will,” said Doctor Copperas. ‘‘ But, to start from the beginning, I must tell you that her ladyship’s fat footman came puffing and blowing in the greatest consternation to my house, declaring that her ladyship had met with a most serious accident, and beseeching that I would come directly. So away I went, and on arriving at Catamaran House, I found her ladyship stretched upon the sofa, with two lady’s-maids bending over her, one binding a cambric handkerchief around her hand, the other bathing her head with vinegar and water, while three French poodles, instinctively feeling that some- thing was the matter with their beloved mistress, were (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si nin