Untitled

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AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL' ' '
manner of railing^ accusations, rejoicing malignantly
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97 .
over their
reverse? In the midst of this state of things, I' changed one night
to* be in the house of a certain great man. When we had eatenf
bread, I went out to satisfy a need.' .That nobleman by reason
of whom I came to be there happened to praise me during my
absence, saying, " Menknow him as a
poet, but, apart from his
skill in poetry, he is a man of great attainments, well skilled in
astrology, medicine, polite letter-writing, and other accomplishments."
, When
I returned to the company, the master of the house
shewed me increased respect, as do those who are in' need of
some favour, and in a littl? while came and sat by me, and said,
" O so-and-sb, I have one only daughter, and, save her, no other
near relative, and she is my treasure. Lately she has fallen a
victim {o a malady such that during the days ,pf her monthly
courses ten or fifteen maunds 1 of sanguineous matter come from
her, and she is greatly weakened. We have consulted the
physicians, several of whom have treated her, but it has availed
nothing, for if this issue be checked, she is attacked with pain
and swelling in the stomach, and if it be encouraged, it is increased
in amount, and she is much weakened, so that I fear lest
" "
her strength may wholly fail." Send me word," said I, when
next this state occurs."
When (A\) ten days had passed, the patient's mother came
to fetch me, and brought her daughter to me. I saw a girl very
comely, but despairing of life and stricken with terror. She at
once fell at my feet, saying, " O my father ! For God's sake
help me, for I am young, and have not yet seen the world."
The tears sprang to my eyes, and I said, " Be of good cheer, this
is an Qasy matter." Then I placed my fingers on her pulse, and
found it strong, and her colour and complexion normal, while ^
most of the ten indications were present, such as a robust habit
of .body, a strong constitution, a healthy temperament, a clear
complexion, a favourable age, season and climate, suitable habit^
propitious accessaries and skill. Then I summoned a phlebotomist
and ba,de him open the basilic vein in both her arms ; and .
I sent aw,ay all the women. The bad blood continued to flow,
and, by pressure and I manipulation, took from her a thousand
dirhams' weight of
blqpd,
so that she fell down in a swoon. Then
I bade them bring fire, and prepared roasted meat beside her,
and a fowl on the
j^irt spit, until the house was filled with the
steam of the roasting meat, and it entered her nostrils. Then
she came her
f 1,o senses, moved, groaned, and asked for a drink.
Then I prepared for her a gentle stimulant agreeable to her .
t'aste, and treated her for a week until the loss of blood was
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