Athothis : a satire on modern medicine / by Thomas C. Minor.

pounded tlieir own medicines, and therefore knew pre- cisely what was given the sick. But let us enter I" As these words were uttered the spirits passed into the store through a speaking trumpet, inscribed " For night calls.'' " What a wonderful crystal palace is this !" exclaimed the Egyptian, in tones of feigned delight, as he gazed about in mock admiration at the immense array of glass bottles and china jars, adorned with cabalistic inscrip- tions. " This is the charmed laboratory of some skillful chemist and dealer in rare remedies, since the shelves fairly groan under the weight of an infinite variety of drugs and chemicals. Look at the honesty of the pro- prietor, too, for back of his dispensing case I observe the ominous sign, 'Beware of Poisons.'" " Yes," answered Paulus Androcydes, laughingly ; " I notice the druggist, Professor Prescribe!*, is now show- ing two of his friends the subtile qualities contained in a cut-glass bottle, labeled < Pure French Brandy.' They are clinking glasses in order to ascertain whether the fluid is soluble in water. Heavens ! Professor Prescriber is evidently intoxicated, as he is making a mistake in the prescription before him; and, in place of putting ten grains of sulphate of quinine in a powder, has substi- tuted, through drunken carelessness, the same amount of morphine. That sickly-looking woman in front of the counter is waiting for the medicine. She is suffering from malaria, and the error in compounding will cost her her life. I must and will save her!" "Nonsense !''remarked Athothis, laughing at the fu- tile spiritual attempt of his comrade to grasp the powder. " Let the poison do its painless work ! She is only a shop-girl, and is slowly being killed by her employer, who obliges his female clerks to stand on their feet