Diary of the late John Epps, M.D. Edin : embracing autobiographical records, notes on passing events, homoeopathy, general medicine, politics and religion, etc / edited by Mrs. Epps.

  • Epps, John, 1805-1869.
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Diary of the late John Epps, M.D. Edin : embracing autobiographical records, notes on passing events, homoeopathy, general medicine, politics and religion, etc / edited by Mrs. Epps. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    657/680 (page 653)
    SUFFERINGS FROM COLD. CHAPTER XLI. NOTES IN 18G7. HIS OWN HEALTH. PATIENTS. HIS DOG TROT. BEGINS 1868 VERY UNWELL. MUCH WORSE IN APRIL AND MAY. PAPERS LEFT UNFINISHED. “ TAXUARY 6.—How thankful did I feel yesterday when tJ Taddie, my wdfe, said there appeared to be a thaw ; and, again, I felt a regret when she afterwards said she thought the thaw had stopped. Great was my pleasure on finding that it really seemed warmer. When we went upstairs at night, I asked Taddie to look out and see if the snow were beginning to fall off from the sides of the windows. She was not quite certain ; yet she seemed to have the conviction that it was not now freezing; and I went to sleep, feeling a comfort that the poor chest would obtain relief from the oppression which it had been enduring for the last week. I slept till ten o’clock; and what a sleep I had! I soon looked out, and with delight beheld the pavement wet. Frequently, during the morning, I went to the front windows, and with much satisfaction saw the rain beginning to fall. How does our appreciation of conditions depend upon our state of health ! Yesterday morning, when the frost was in all its intenseness, nothing but the conviction that others, in the possession of health and strength and agility, would enjoy walking, running, skating, etc., could have made me feel any- thing like comfort, suffering, as I did, from the frost’s con- stricting hand, that seemed to tighten my chest. One like myself can understand the statement of the old writer, when he refers to those who pray for the morning. So the poor bron- chitic prays to be freed from the intense cold, when he feels that the only escape for him is, that the cold hand should