Dr. Sharpeye inquired if the man did not find the present state of his vision still very perplexing.

Dr. Mortar replied, that so far from injuring his sight, it had proved highly beneficial, as the patient had procured a very excellent situation in the new police, and received a double salary, from the power he possessed of keeping an eye upon both sides of the road at the same time.

[Illustration:  WILL YOU LOOK THIS WAY, IF YOU PLEASE?]

An elaborate and highly scientific treatise was then read by Dr. Sexton, upon a disease which had been very prevalent in town during the spring, and had been usually termed the influenza.  He defined it as a disease of convenience, depending upon various exciting causes acting upon the mind.  For instance:—­

Mrs. A——­, a lady residing in Belgrave-square, was on the eve of giving a large party, when, upon hearing that Mr. A——­ had made an unlucky speculation in the funds, the whole family were seized with influenza so violently, that they were compelled to postpone the reunion, and live upon the provided supper for a fortnight afterwards.

Miss B——­ was a singer at one of our large theatres, and had a part assigned to her in a new opera.  Not liking it, she worried herself into an access of influenza, which unluckily seized her the first night the opera was to have been played.

But the most marked case was that of Mr. C——­, a clerk in a city house of business, who was attacked and cured within three days.  It appeared that he had been dining that afternoon with some friends, who were going to Greenwich fair the next day, and on arriving at home, was taken ill with influenza, so suddenly that he was obliged to despatch a note to that effect to his employer, stating also his fear that he should be unable to attend at his office on the morrow.  Dr. Sexton said he was indebted for an account of the progress of his disease to a young medical gentleman, clinical clerk at a leading hospital, who lodged with the patient in Bartholomew-close.  The report had been drawn up for the Lancet, but Dr. S. had procured it by great interest.

MAY 30, 1841, 11 P.M.—­Present symptoms:—­Complains of his employer, and the bore of being obliged to be at the office next morning.  Has just eaten a piece of cold beef and pickles, with a pint of stout.  Pulse about 75, and considerable defluxion from the nose, which he thinks produced by getting a piece of Cayenne pepper in his eye.  Swallowed a crumb, which brought on a violent fit of coughing.  Wishes to go to bed.

    MAY 31, 9 A.M.—­Has passed a tolerable night, but appears restless,
    and unable to settle to anything.  Thinks he could eat some broiled
    ham if he had it; but not possessing any, has taken the following: 

      Rx—­Infus. coffee lbj
          Sacchari [symbol:  dram]iij
          Lactis Vaccae [symbol:  ounce]j
        Ft. mistura, poculum mane sumendum.