Chapter IV

Very much puzzled with a new Patient, nevertheless take my degree
at fifteen as an M.D.; and what is still more acceptable, I pocket
the fees.


The departure of Mr Brookes, of course, rendered me more able to follow
up with Timothy my little professional attempts to procure pocket-money;
but independent of these pillages by the aid of pills, and making drafts
upon our master's legitimate profits, by the assistance of draughts from
his shop, accident shortly enabled me to raise the ways and means in a
more rapid manner. But of this directly.

In the meantime I was fast gaining knowledge; every evening I read
surgical and medical books, put into my hands by Mr Cophagus, who
explained whenever I applied to him, and I soon obtained a very fair
smattering of my profession. He also taught me how to bleed, by making
me, in the first instance, puncture very scientifically, all the larger
veins of a cabbage-leaf, until well satisfied with the delicacy of my
hand, and the precision of my eye, he wound up his instructions by
permitting me to breathe a vein in his own arm.

"Well," said Timothy, when he first saw me practising, "I have often
heard it said, there's no getting blood out of a turnip; but it seems
there is more chance with a cabbage. I tell you what, Japhet, you may
try your hand upon me as much as you please, for two-pence a go."