A portion of this sum was expended in a cheap sofa-bedstead, a
closed washstand and a spirit lamp coffee boiler, for Traverse
determined to lodge in his office and board himself--"which will
have this additional advantage," said the cheerful fellow to
himself--"for besides saving me from debt, it will keep me always on
hand for calls."
The fever, though it was October, had scarcely abated; indeed, on
the contrary, it seemed to have revived and increased in virulency
in consequence of the premature return of many people who had fled
on its first appearance, and who in coming back too soon to the
infected atmosphere, were less able to withstand contagion than
those who remained.
That Traverse escaped the plague was owing not so much to his
favorite "theory" as to his vigorous constitution, pure blood and
regular habits of temperance, cleanliness and cheerful activity of
mind and body.
Just then the demand was greater than the supply of medical service.
Traverse found plenty to do, and his pleasant, young face and
hopeful and confident manners won him great favor in sick rooms,
where, whether it were to be ascribed to his "theory," his
"practice" or to the happy, inspiring influence of his personal
presence, or to all these together, with the blessing of the Lord
upon them, it is certain that he was very successful in raising the
sick.
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