"You think so because you know nothing of the case," answered I. "You
simply visit this place for a half hour each day, at a time that
everything is moving along smoothly, and merely get a surface view of
matters. It is my earnest hope that you may never get a practical
insight into these things by being placed in the same position as myself
or these other poor fellows all around me. If all the poor unfortunates
I have seen carried out of this ward, corpses, have died for want of the
same kind of will power I require, then all I can say is that the
doctors here should be held responsible for a great many cases of actual
murder."
"Why, Mr. Convert, what do you mean by talking in this way?" inquired
she.
"Just this," replied I, "these doctors are treating me for the wrong
ailment. I am suffering no more from the effects of typhoid fever than
you are, but still these doctors are trying to cure me of a malady which
does not exist. Since recovering my memory I have observed that the many
typhoid patients all around me have been bathed from five to ten times
daily, while my fever rises to a point which necessitates an ice bath to
reduce it but once each day, and always at the same hour, five o'clock
in the afternoon. In any part of the world where malaria is prevalent
these symptoms indicate nothing more nor less than chills and fever and
should be cured within a day or two by a few doses of quinine. I have
explained this to the doctors several times, but with a wisdom born of
book learning they have contemptuously disregarded my advice and still
continue to treat me for enteric fever, and then lay the blame upon me
for not getting well. Do not doubt me, my dear girl, I know what I am
talking about. Up to a few days ago my memory was obscured, but now I am
in my right senses and fully capable of using all of my reasoning
faculties to their fullest extent. Some day I shall explain many strange
things to you, of which you know nothing. But now I must devote all of
my thoughts and forces toward regaining my former physical strength, and
likewise increase my moral and mental vigor for a future great work."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account