134 HEROES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VERY. 



patients (them only of course was I permitted to see) is a treat. 

 In comes a woman with a fibrous tumour, which fifty other prac- 

 titioners have called by fifty other names. One minute suffices 

 for his diagnosis ; another sees her in a state of insensibility, 

 and in less than a third, two long needles are thrust inches 

 deep into the tumour, and a galvanic battery is at work discuss- 

 ing it. * Leave her alone quietly,' says Simpson, ' she'll take 

 care of herself — no fear.' One up, another down, is the order 

 of the day. What other men would speculate as to the propriety 

 of for hours, Simpson does in a minute or two. He is bold, 

 but not reckless ; ever ready, but never harsh. He is prepared 

 for every contingency, and meets it on the instant. Everything 

 seems to prosper in his hands. As to ether and chloroform, 

 they seem like invisible intelligences, doomed to obey his 

 bidding — familiars who do his work because they must never 

 venture to produce effects one iota greater or less than he 

 desires. While other men measure out the liquids, fumble 

 about and make a fuss, Simpson, in what an Irishman would 

 call the most promiscuous manner possible, does the job in a 

 minute or two. He is indeed a wonderful man." 



The account given by Dr. Channing, of Boston, U.S., of a 

 visit to Queen Street is equally interesting : " At half-past one 

 his consultations at home begin, and last till nearly or quite six. 

 When he began this system of home clinics, for such they 

 strictly are, his house was filled at all hours, so that it was im- 

 possible to keep any order. People would come at seven a.m. 

 in order to be first. They would get breakfast at six, or earlier, 

 and disturb their own families much. To prevent this, he 

 fixed the hour at half-past one to half-past five. The patients 

 of the two divisions are in different but equally large rooms. 

 They draw lots for priority, have tickets, and come in as called. 



