THE STORY TOLD BY THE JEWISH PHYSICIAN.

Sir, when I was a student of physic, and just beginning the practice of that noble profession with some reputation, a man-slave called me to see a patient in the city governor’s family.  I went accordingly, and was carried into a room, where I found a very handsome young man mightily cast down with his condition:  I saluted him, and sat down by him, but he made no return to my compliments, except by a sign with his eyes that he heard me and thanked me.  Pray, sir, said I, give me your hand, that I may feel your pulse.  But, instead of stretching out his right, he gave me his left hand, at which I was extremely surprised.  This, said I to myself, is a gross piece of ignorance, not to know that people present their right hand, and not their left, to a physician.  However, I felt his pulse, wrote him a receipt, and took leave.

I continued my visits for nine days, and every time I felt his pulse he still gave me the left hand:  on the tenth day he seemed to be pretty well, and so I prescribed nothing for him but bathing.  The governor of Damascus, who was by, did, in testimony of his being well satisfied with my service, invest me with a very rich robe, saying, he made me a physician of the city hospital, and physician in ordinary to his house, where I might freely eat at his table when I pleased.  The young man likewise showed me many civilities, and asked me to accompany him to the bath:  accordingly we went together; and when his attendants had undressed him, I perceived he wanted the right hand, and that it had not been long cut off, which had been the occasion of his distemper, though concealed from me; for while the people about him were applying proper medicines externally, they had called me to prevent the ill consequences of the fever he was then in.  I was very much surprised and concerned on seeing his misfortune, which he observed by my countenance.  Doctor, cried he, do not be astonished to see that my hand is cut off; some day or other I will tell you the occasion of it; and in that relation you will be entertained with very surprising adventures.

After bathing, we sat down and ate; and after we had some other discourse together, he asked me if it would be any prejudice to his health, if he went to take a walk out of town in the governor’s garden?  I made answer, it would be so far from that, that it would benefit his health.  Since it is so, said he, if you would let me have your company, I will tell you the history of my adventures, I replied, I was at his command for all that day.  Upon which he presently called his servants, to bring something for a collation; and so we went to the governor’s garden.  There we took two or three turns, and then sat down upon a carpet that his servants had spread under a tree, which gave a very pleasant shade.  After we were set, the young man gave his history in the following terms:  I was born, said he, at Moussol, and come of one of the most considerable families in the city.  My father was the eldest of ten brothers that were all alive, and all married, when my grandfather died.  All the brothers were childless but my father, and he had never a child but me.  He took particular care of my education, and made me learn every thing that was proper for a child of my quality.