 fee'd at one and the same Instant, were his
Counsel.
    These two Doctors, whom, to avoid any malicious Applications, we shall
distinguish by the Names of Dr. Y. and Dr. Z., having felt his Pulse; to wit,
Dr. Y. his right Arm, and Dr. Z. his left, both agreed that he was absolutely
dead; but as to the Distemper, or Cause of his Death, they differed, Dr. Y.
holding that he had died of an Apoplexy, and Dr. Z. of an Epilepsy.
    Hence arose a Dispute between the learned Men, in which each delivered the
Reasons of their several Opinions. These were of such equal Force, that they
served both to confirm either Doctor in his own Sentiments, and made not the
least Impression on his Adversary.
    To say the Truth, every Physician, almost, hath his favourite Disease, to
which he ascribes all the Victories obtained over human Nature. The Gout, the
Rheumatism, the Stone, the Gravel, and the Consumption, have all their several
Patrons in the Faculty; and none more than the nervous Fever, or the Fever on
the Spirits. And here we may account for those Disagreements in Opinion,
concerning the Cause of a Patient's Death; which sometimes occur between the
most learned of the College; and which have greatly surprized that Part of the
World who have been ignorant of the Fact we have above asserted.
    The Reader may, perhaps, be surprized, that instead of endeavouring to
revive the Patient, the learned Gentlemen should fall immediately into a Dispute
on the Occasion of his Death; but in reality, all such Experiments had been made
before their Arrival: For the Captain was put into a warm Bed, had his Veins
scarified, his Forehead chafed, and all Sorts of strong Drops applied to his
Lips and his Nostrils.
    The Physicians, therefore, finding themselves anticipated in every thing
they ordered, were at a Loss how to employ that Portion of Time which it is
usual and decent to remain for their Fee, and were therefore necessitated to
find some Subject or other for Discourse; and what could more naturally present
itself than that before-mentioned?
    Our Doctors were about to take their Leave, when Mr. Allworthy, having given
over the Captain, and acquiesced in the divine Will, began to enquire after his
Sister, whom he desired them to visit before their Departure.
    This Lady was now recovered of her Fit, and, to use the common Phrase, as
well as could be expected for one in her Condition.
