Genre:

Serial—Introduction, Biography / Short Fiction

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [2]

Illustrators:

S V Slader

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Surgery

    The introduction outlines Elisabeth Phelps's life, noting her early interest in mental philosophy and mathematics, and the steps by which she became a prominent literary figure. Phelps's story follows the fortunes of Dr Harris, a young physician, and his wife. Describes Dr Harris's attempts to attract patients to his new practice. He is disappointed when, as an expert at extracting teeth, he misses the chance to extract three teeth from people in his area (330). Describes his euphoria when he successfully treats his first patient. He fails to be the first physician at the scene of a carriage accident near his surgery.