ERA. It is a blessing to have friends like these.
APO. Decidedly. I have still two children left, of whom he takes care as if they were his own; he attends them, and physics them as he pleases, without my interfering in the least; and very frequently on my return from the city, I am quite surprised to find that they have been bled or purged by his direction.
APO. Here he is, here he is; here he is coming.
SCENE VIII.--ÉRASTE, 1ST PHYSICIAN, APOTHECARY, COUNTRYMAN, COUNTRYWOMAN.
C. MAN. Sir, he can hold out no longer; he says he feels the greatest pains imaginable in his head.
1ST PHY. The patient is a fool; for in the disease by which he is attacked it is not his head, according to Galen, but the spleen, which must give pain.
C. MAN. However this may be, Sir, he has had for the last six months a laxity with it.
1ST PHY. That's right. It is a sign that his body is clearing. I will go and see him in two or three days; but if he dies before, mind you do not forget to give me notice, for it is not proper that a doctor should go to visit a dead man.
C. WOM. (_to_ PHYSICIAN). My father, Sir, is getting worse and worse.
1ST PHY. It is no fault of mine; I send him remedies; why does he not get better? How many times has he been bled?
C. WOM. Fifteen times, Sir, in twenty days.
1ST PHY. It is a sign that the seat of the malady is not in the blood. He must be purged as many times, to see if it is in the humours; and if this does not succeed, we will send him to the bath.
SCENE IX.--ÉRASTE, 1ST PHYSICIAN, APOTHECARY.
ERA. (_to the_ PHYSICIAN). It was I, Sir, who sent to you few days ago about a relation of mine who is not quite right in his mind; and I want him to live in your house, as it would be more convenient for you to attend to him, and to prevent him from being seen by too many people.
1ST PHY. Yes, Sir, I have got everything ready; and I will take the utmost care of him.
1ST PHY. That is most fortunate; for I have with me just now an old physician, a friend of mine, with whom I should be glad to consult concerning this disorder.
SCENE X.--MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC, ÉRASTE, 1ST PHYSICIAN, APOTHECARY.
ERA. (_to_ MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC). I am obliged to leave you a moment for a little affair which requires my presence; (_showing the_ PHYSICIAN) but this person, in whose hands I leave you, will do for you all he possibly can.
