CONAN DOYLE AND MEDICINE.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 56, 3 September 1904, Page 13

CONAN DOYLE AND MEDICINE.

An American woman asked Connn Doyle ono day why he had given up tho practice, of medicine. "Because the work was too hard," Doyle answered. "Oh, it can't be hard to a doctor," said his inquisitor. "It is both hard and unpleasant. And to prove it," aaicl the novelist, "I'll tell you about my first enso." "My first case came to mo in tho middle of the night. It was Jnmiary, and a cold rain was falling. Tho jangle t of th^ door, bell awoke mo from a sound deep, and shivering and vaAvning, I put my bend out of the window and asked, 'Who's there?' 'Doctor,' said a voice, 'can you como to Peter Smith's house at once?' " 'What's tho trouble?' 1 asked. " 'Smith's youngest girl has took a dose of laudanum in mistake for paregoric, and we're afraid she'll die.' "'AH right; I'll come, 1 said I. "I dressed, and I trumped threo miles fehrough tho cold' and rain to Smith's place. Twice, on tho way, I fell on the icy pavement, and once my hat blow off, and in the darkness I was nearly half on hour finding it. "Finally, though, I reached Smith's. But tho bowse was dark — shutters all closed — not a light. I rang the bed. No •answer. But at last a head stuck itsolf gingerly out of a third story window. l/v Bo you, Dr. Doyle?' it said. " 'Yes,' said I 'Let mo in.' 11 'Oh, uo need to come in, doctor,' Raid t?ho head. 'The child's all right noAV. Sleeping very quiet.' " \But how much laudanum did you give it?' sardi I. " 'Only two drops, doctor. Not enough to hurt a cat. I guess I'd better take my head in now. The nwht air is cold. Good night. Sony to have doubled y«M.' "I bttUaned up my coat and tutned homeward, U-ying as best I couid to stifle- my mortification and angex. Bwfc SMfMcnly the window was ratscd again, and fake awjuo v-otco cried ; " 'T>oetw! I say, docterl' "I hurried back. I though* tho chWd had suddenly token a turn, for tie M'ojwe. 'Well, wha* 3o yotf wanW I eaid. '"Bhe voice mode answer : ""'Ye wmtt charge nottim' for this s*i«t, mM'.ytf""— Newi TFerie^Tßrabune,