A treatise on relapsing or famine fever / by R.T. Lyons.

  • Lyons, R. T.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on relapsing or famine fever / by R.T. Lyons. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    363/408 (page 347)
    ^ave me a few minutes for reflection; though even this pause was not a little disturbed by the cries and groans of the many wounded, and more particularly of my two companions m the window. Death, attended with the most cruel tram of circum- stances, I plainly perceived must prove our inevitable destiny. I had seen this common migration in too many shapes, and accustomed myself to think on the subject with too ranch pi'O- priety to be alarmed at the prospect, and indeed felt much more for my wretched companions than for myself. Amongst the guard posted at the windows I observed an old jemmantdaar near me who seemed to carry some compassion for us in his countenance; and indeed he was the only one ot the many in his station who discovered the least trace of humanity. I called him to me, and in the most persuasive terms I was capable of, urged him to commiserate the sufferings he was a witness to, and pressed him to endeavour to get us separated, half in one place and half in another, and that he should in the morning receive a thousand rupees for this act of tenderness. He promised be would attempt it, and with- drew ; but in a few minutes returned and told me it was im- possible. I then thought I had been deficient in my offer, and promised him two thousand. He withdrew a second time, but returned soon, and (with much real pity and concern) told me, it was not practicable; that it could not be done but by the suba's order, and that no one dare awake him. During this interval, though their passions were less violent, their uneasiness increased. We had been but 'few minutes confined before every one fell into a perspiration so profuse, you can form no idea of it. This consequently brought on a raging thirst, which still increased in proportion as the body was drained of its moisture. Yarious expedients were thought of to give more room and air. To obtain the former, it was moved to put ofi their clothes. This was approved as a happy motion, and m a few minutes I believe every man was stripped (myself, Mr. Court, and the two wounded young gentlemen by me, excepted). For a little time they flattered themselves with haying gained a mighty advantage ; every hat was put into motion to produce a cii'culation of air, and Mr. Baillie proposed that every man should sit down on his hams. As they were truly m the situation of drowning wretches, no wonder they caught at everything that bore a flattering appearance of saving thein. This expedient was several times put in practice, and at each time many of the poor creatures, whose natural strength was less than others, or had been more exhausted, and could not