Memoirs of William Miller - Sylvester Bliss

of his fever appeared in the form of a bad sore on
his left arm. This became so painful, and was so
much of annoyance, that a surgical operation was
advised, which was to remove the affected parts of
the flesh, so as to cleanse the bone by scraping it. If
this was not done, possibly amputation would be
necessary. He was somewhat displeased by the
rudeness of the thoughtless medical students, or
surgeon’s mates, who too often seem to think that a
disabled soldier is good for nothing but to cut up
for experiments. And, as they handled the diseased
limb one day somewhat roughly, and spoke very
lightly of its amputation, as a matter of course, he
reminded them that his sword arm was still sound;
and, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword, then
before him, gave them to understand that, whatever
might be advised in the case, he should not submit
to any unnecessary pain for their amusement. They
understood him, and it ended their rudeness.
This danger, however, was shortly over, and he
was able to join his regiment in actual service,
while they were out in search of the enemy on the
Canadian frontier. The particulars of this
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