AN EASY CREDITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 43, 28 October 1893, Page 343

AN EASY CREDITOR.

Some time ago, on Sunday we wended our way to one of our churches, and instead of a sermon, heard an address upon some missionary or other benevolent subject. After the address was concluded, two of the brethren were sent round with the basket for contributions, taking the side upon which we sat. Immediately in our front, and upon the next seat, negligently reclined our friend Bill H , a gentleman of infinite humour and full of dry jokes. Parson L extended the basket, and Bill slowly shook his head. ‘Come, William, give us something,’ said the parson. ‘Can’t do it,' replied Bill. ‘ Why not ’ Is not the came a good one ?' ‘ Yes, but I am not able to give anything.' ‘ Pooh ! pooh I I know better ; you must give a better reason than that.’ ‘ Well, I owe too much money—l must be just before I’m generous, von know.’ ‘ But, William, yon owe God a larger debt than you owe anybody else.' ‘ That's true, parson, but then He ain't pushing me like the balance of my creditors.' • The parson's face got into rather a curious condition, and he passed on.

A Boon to Sufferers.— A new discovery which is being talked about in medical circles determines the fact that absolute local immunity from pain even during protracted operations can be obtained without resorting to general narcosis of the patient, so that a sufferer may remain perfectly conscious during the amputation of his hand or foot without undergoing the tortures usually associated with such operations, or exposing himself to the danger of syncope ever present in the operation room. It appears that subcutaneous injections of a solution of sugar or salt, and even of simple cold distilled water, will produce exactly the same local anaesthetic effects as cocaine.