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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

The Hand of Death

The Hand of Death

was upon him, even as I had felt as I met him day by day during the session that he was a doomed man for whom there page 11 was but one hope of recovery—that rest and change and freedom from care which he refused to allow himself.

About this time the treatment by massage and magnetism ceased, and soon after came a message that Mr. Ballance had had to abandon his proposed trip, as his medical attendant (Dr. Henry) had pronounced against it. He could not, however, wholly relinquish the idea, and so set was his heart on getting on the sea that he arranged for a trip round the harbour in the Ellen Ballance. Fine weather had been experienced up to that very day, but that day was the first of the wet spell which set in and lasted till the day of his funeral. Nevertheless, accompanied by his friend and colleague the Hon. John M'Kenzie, Minister of Lands, he went out in the Government launch, and, the rain coming on, had to be taken below, where the closeness of the little cabin did not improve matters. Next day he was bad. The next, worse. Then bettor, then worse, but always bad. There was a complete stoppage of the natural functions. A consultation was held, Drs. Anson and James acting with Dr. Henry and with Dr. MacGregor, who had watched the case throughout as a friend.

As a result of this consultation, it was decided to send at once for Dr. Cleghorn, of Blenheim, and on his arrival a further consultation was held, on Thursday, 20th April, and that evening it was decided that there was only one thing which offered any hope of saving the patient's life. The bowels must be laid bare, opened, cleansed, and the obstruction removed. For more than ten days there had been a cessation of the functions, and