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.

    366/408 (page 350)
    X 350 APPENDICES. Determined now to give everything up, I called to tliem, and begged, as the last instance of their regard, they would remove the pressure upon me, and permit me to retire out of the window, to die in quiet. They gave way, and with much difficulty I forced a passage into the centre of the prison, where the throng was less by the many dead (then I believe amounting to one-third,) and the number who flocked to the windows, for by this time they had water also at the other window. In the Black-Hole there is a platform, corresponding with that in the barracks. I travelled over the dead, and repaired to the further end of it, just opposite the other window, and seated myself on the platform between Mr. Dumbleton and Captain Stevenson, the former just then expiring. I was still happy in the same calmness of mind I had preserved the whole time. Death I expected as unavoidable, and only lamented its slow approach, though the moment I quitted the window, my breathing grew short and painful. Here my poor friend, Mr. Edward Eyre, came staggering over the dead to me with his usual coolness and good-nature, and asked me how I did, but fell and expired before I had time to make him a reply. I laid myself down on some of the dead behind me on the platform, and recommending myself to Heaven, had the comfort of thinking my sufferings could have no long duration. My thirst grew now insupportable, difficulty of breathing much increased, and I had not remained in this situation, I believe, ten minutes, when I was seized with a pain in my breast and palpitation of my heart, both to the most exquisite degree. These roused and obliged me to get up again; but still the pain, palpitation, thirst, and difficulty of breathing increased. I retained my senses, notwithstanding, and had the grief to see death not so near me as I hoped, but could no longer bear the pains I suffered without attempting a relief, which I knew fresh air would and could only give me. I instantly determined to push for the window opposite to me, and by an effort of double the strength I ever before pos- sessed, gained the third rank at it, with one hand seized a bar, and by that means gained the second, though I think there were at least six or seven ranks between me and the window. In a few moments my pain, palpitation and difficulty of breath- ing ceased; but my thirst continued intolerable. I called aloud for Wateb, for God's sakjs : I had been concluded dead; but as soon as they heard me amongst them, they had still the respect and tenderness for me, to cry out, Give him water :