"
Just then the doctor and nurse came within the inclosure, and inquired
as to the cause of the commotion.
"This damned idiot has broken loose again, and I am teaching him how to
behave himself," replied the orderly.
"Well, he certainly needs a lesson in good behavior," chimed in the
nurse; "I cannot understand why he has not been sent over to the Island
for more strenuous treatment long ago."
"Why don't you do as told?" inquired the be-whiskered Dr. Savage, in a
harsh tone of voice, as he approached close to me, but I was too weak
and exhausted to answer, and merely looked from one to the other with
the utmost feeling of contempt. After censuring me sternly and advising
me to behave myself in the future, the doctor strolled away as if such
incidents were of trifling importance.
I was kept in that tub of ice-water, freezing, for fifteen minutes,
while the nurse and orderlies lazily rubbed my arms, legs, and trunk,
and poured pitcher after pitcher of ice-water over my head, in an effort
to reduce the fever. It was a barbarous method of treatment, and seemed
of several hours' duration, but it allayed that intense burning
sensation, and put new life and vigor into me. As they were about to
transfer me back to the bed again, I quietly informed the nurse that my
back was in a terrible condition, and requested that the orderlies be
instructed to handle me a little more carefully, and to take hold of my
body instead of my head and feet when lifting me up, so that the strain
would be less on the middle of my back.
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