"
A few minutes later two surgeons entered the room and examined Ralph's
arm. They agreed at once that it was necessary to amputate it three
inches higher up, Ralph winced when he heard the news.
"It won't hurt you very much," one of the surgeons said. "The nerves
are all numbed with the shock they have had, but it is absolutely
necessary in order that a neat stump may be made of it. The bone is
all projecting now; and even if the wound healed over, which I don't
think it would, you would have trouble with it all your life."
"Of course if it must be done, it must," Ralph said. "There isn't much
left of it now."
"There is not enough to be of much use," the surgeon agreed; "but even
a shorter stump that you can fit appliances on to will be a great deal
more handy than one with which nothing can be done."
The operation was performed at once, and although Ralph had to press
his lips hard together to prevent himself from crying out, he did find
it less painful than he had expected.
"There, you will do now," the surgeon said. "Here, my man, take that
basin and a tumbler and run downstairs to the kitchen. They will give
you some broth there and some weak spirits and water. Bring them up at
once."
Ralph took a spoonful or two of the broth, and a sip of the spirits,
and then lay back and presently dozed off to sleep.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465