After she recovered from that medicine, Dr. Beech said,
“I have avoided this for as long as I dared, but there is no other course.” He set out a vial of calomel. “We must treat the poisonous phlegm, which may be the cause of all your afflictions.”
Judy knew about the dreadful effects of the purge, which was prescribed for all kinds of ailments. Martha would suffer mouth sores, loosened teeth, and racking heaves. Before the doctor left, she stopped him and said,
“Mrs. Cook is already so weak, I fear this cure will be worse than the disease.”
“Is that your medical opinion?” Dr. Beech said, his hand on the doorknob.
But Judy did not back down. “I will bring the matter up with Judge Cook. He should know of the danger, at least.”
To her surprise, Dr. Beech removed his hat and said,
“I want a word with you.” He led her to the library and stood by the window, facing away from her as he spoke.
“I had no intention of mentioning this to you,” he said.
“But since you insist on pushing your way into the matter, and as you are to be Mrs. Cook’s nurse, I am going to confide a terrible secret to you. Mrs. Cook is suffering from the French pox, for which only mercury has any effect.
“God protect all women against respectable husbands,”
Dr. Beech added, bitterly. He glanced at her and added,
194
DOGTOWN FINAL PAGES 27/9/06 2:07 PM Page 195
The L A S T D AY S of D O G TOW N
“I assume that you will do nothing to damage this unfortunate lady’s reputation?”
“You have nothing to fear from me,” Judy said, insulted at the suggestion.
“You may not tell Mrs. Cook the nature of her illness,”
said the doctor. “I have seen such news kill a woman of her sensibilities. I will measure the mercury in the smallest doses and pray that it will do her more good than harm.
There is nothing else I can do for her, God help us.”
Judy rarely left Martha’s side after that, and spent most nights in a chair at her bedside. She fed her, washed her, and held the basin as her friend retched. She tidied the room and read aloud from the Gospels, which seemed to provide Martha with a little comfort.
After two miserable months, Martha recovered enough to keep down some toast and tea, and insisted that she be carried to the garden, to enjoy the flowers and the afternoon sun.
“The calomel has had a good effect, then,” Judy said to Dr. Beech.
“Perhaps,” he said. “But this malady is as unpredictable as the weather, and just as changeable. We may see a long spell of sunny days; there may be many good weeks or even months. But the storms are bound to return eventually, and it will be worse than ever.”
His prediction gave Judy the shivers.
After the doctor left, Martha took Judy’s hand and said,
“You look terrible, my dear. It hurts me to see you so pale and so tired. Why don’t you go up to your cottage for a few days and have a little holiday.”
Judy’s eyes watered at her friend’s kindness. “You see, it
195
DOGTOWN FINAL PAGES 27/9/06 2:07 PM Page 196