Chapter 63 - Page 2

invited guests.

"Gentlemen," said he, taking up one of the glittering knives and
artistically drawing the steel across it; "Gentlemen, though
these scenes are very unpleasant, and in some moods, I may say,
repulsive to me--yet how much better for our patient to have the
contusions and lacerations of his present wound--with all its
dangerous symptoms--converted into a clean incision, free from
these objections, and occasioning so much less subsequent anxiety
to himself and the Surgeon. Yes," he added, tenderly feeling the
edge of his knife, "amputation is our only resource. Is it not
so, Surgeon Patella?" turning toward that gentleman, as if relying
upon some sort of an assent, however clogged with conditions.

"Certainly," said Patella, "amputation is your only resource, Mr.
Surgeon of the Fleet; that is, I mean, if you are fully persuaded
of its necessity."

The other surgeons said nothing, maintaining a somewhat reserved
air, as if conscious that they had no positive authority in the
case, whatever might be their own private opinions; but they
seemed willing to behold, and, if called upon, to assist at the
operation, since it could not now be averted.

The young men, their Assistants, looked very eager, and cast
frequent glances of awe upon so distinguished a practitioner as
the venerable Cuticle.

"They say he can drop a leg in one minute and ten seconds from
the moment the knife touches it," whispered one of them to another.

"We shall see," was the reply, and the speaker clapped his hand
to his fob, to see if his watch would be forthcoming when wanted.

"Are you all ready here?" demanded Cuticle, now advancing to his
steward; "have not those fellows got through yet?" pointing to
three men of the carpenter's gang, who were placing bits of wood
under the gun-carriages supporting the central table.

"They are just through, sir," respectfully answered the steward,
touching his hand to his forehead, as if there were a cap-front there.

"Bring up the patient, then," said Cuticle.

"Young gentlemen," he added, turning to the row of Assistant
Surgeons, "seeing you here reminds me of the classes of students
once under my instruction at the Philadelphia College of
Physicians and Surgeons. Ah, those were happy days!" he sighed,
applying the extreme corner of his handkerchief to his glass-eye.
"Excuse an old man's emotions, young gentlemen; but when I think
of the numerous rare cases that then came under my treatment, I
cannot but give way to my feelings. The town, the city, the
metropolis, young gentlemen, is the place for you