This delighted him beyond measure, for
although he had been acting his part in the way of giving out
medicine as the master ordered it, he had never been called upon by
the latter to examine a patient, and this seemed to convince him
after all that he was no sham doctor. As might have been expected,
he cut a rare figure in his first examination. Placing himself
directly opposite his patient, and folding his arms across his
breast, looking very knowingly, he began,--
"What's de matter wid you?"
"I is sick."
"Where is you sick?"
"Here," replied the man, putting his hand upon his stomach.
"Put out your tongue," continued the doctor.
The man ran out his tongue at full length.
"Let me feel your pulse;" at the same time taking his patient's
hand in his, and placing his fingers upon his pulse, he said,--
"Ah! your case is a bad one; ef I don't do something for you, and
dat pretty quick, you'll be a gone coons and dat's sartin."
At this the man appeared frightened, and inquired what was the
matter with him, in answer to which Sam said,
"I done told dat your case is a bad one, and dat's enuff."
On Sam's returning to his master's bedside, the latter said,
"Well, Sam, what do you think is the matter with him?"
"His stomach is out ob order, sar," he replied.
"What do you think had better be done for him?"
"I tink I'd better bleed him and gib him a dose ob calomel,"
returned Sam.
So, to the latter's gratification, the master let him have his own
way.
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