The Mysteries of Paris, illustrated with etchings, Vol. 6Sue, Eugène
General
The Mysteries of Paris, illustrated with etchings, Vol. 6
Sue, Eugène
Paris (France) -- Fiction
"Discoloured face,--complete state of prostration,--yet the pulse
strong, quick, and regular," said the doctor, imperturbably, and
pointing to Jeanne. "Remark her well, gentlemen: oppression, heat in the
epigastric regions. All these symptoms certainly betoken haematemesis,
probably complicated by hepatitis, caused by domestic troubles, as is
indicated by the yellow discoloration of the eyeball. The subject has
had violent blows in the regions of the epigastrium and abdomen; the
vomiting blood is the necessary consequence of some organic injury to
the viscera. On this point let me call your attention to a very curious,
remarkably curious, feature. The post-mortem appearances of those who
die of the injuries under which the subject is suffering frequently
present remarkable appearances; frequently the malady, very severe and
very dangerous, carries off the patient in a few days, and then no trace
of it is found."
Doctor Griffon then, throwing off the bed-clothes, nearly denuded poor
Jeanne. It would be repugnant to describe the struggle of the
unfortunate creature, who, in her shame, implored the doctor and his
auditory. But at the threat, "You will be turned out of the hospital, if
you do not submit to the established usages,"--a threat so terrible for
those to whom the hospital is the sole and last refuge,--Jeanne
submitted to a public scrutiny, which lasted a long time, very long, for
Doctor Griffon analysed and explained every symptom; and then the most
studious of the pupils declared their wish to unite practice with
theory, and also examine the patient. The end of this scene was that
poor Jeanne felt such extreme emotion that she fell into a nervous
crisis, for which Doctor Griffon gave an extra prescription.
The round continued, and the doctor soon reached the bed of Mlle. Claire
de Fermont, a victim, like her mother, to the cupidity of Jacques
Ferrand.
Mlle, de Fermont, dressed in a cap of the hospital, was leaning her head
languidly on the bolster of the bed. In spite of the ravages of her
malady, there might be detected on her open and sweet countenance the
traces of a beauty full of distinction. After a night of keen anguish,
the poor girl had fallen into a kind of feverish stupor, and when the
doctor and his scientific train entered the ward she was not aroused by
the noise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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