Send for the Doctor by Oliver Optic
The story revolves around Mr. Milton Barrington, a prominent figure in the manufacturing village of Millbrook. He is a successful mill owner, respected for his integrity and leadership. Despite his achievements, Mr. Barrington is inexperienced in family matters, having married later in life. His wife and their young son, Charley, are central to his happiness. One cold December night, Charley develops a hoarse cough, alarming Mr. Barrington, who fears it might be croup. His wife, more familiar with children's ailments, reassures him, but Mr. Barrington's anxiety leads him to summon Dr. Broadbeam, the village's established yet irritable physician. Dr. Broadbeam dismisses the child's condition as trivial, attributing it to overeating, and leaves in a huff, charging a hefty fee for his visit. A month later, Charley exhibits more severe symptoms. Mrs. Barrington, skeptical of doctors, initially treats him with home remedies. As Charley's condition worsens, Mr. Barrington insists on calling a doctor. This time, they choose Dr. Slender, a young, amiable physician new to the village. Dr. Slender arrives promptly and, despite the delay in treatment, manages to save Charley, earning the Barringtons' gratitude and trust. Dr. Slender's success and courteous demeanor quickly win over the village, leading to Dr. Broadbeam's decline in popularity. Eventually, Dr. Broadbeam leaves Millbrook, while Dr. Slender's practice flourishes. Mr. Barrington learns the importance of timely medical intervention, and Dr. Slender becomes the family's trusted physician.
By Oliver Optic · First published 1854 · Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Humor, Medical Fiction · 3 chapters · 3,792 words
First lines
My excellent old uncle Jesse -- peace to his ashes! -- used to tell me that every thing depended on the "bringing up; " and a little experience in this world of strange men and things -- but a very good world, for all that -- has convinced me that he was considerably more than half right.
Some people have learned to depend upon themselves in the hour of peril. The energy, firmness, and decision of their own characters are their sword, shield, and steed when
Genres
- Juvenile Fiction — The narrative is aimed at young readers, incorporating moral lessons and engaging storytelling that makes it a staple of youth literature.
- Humor — Its satirical tone and witty depiction of medical professionals and societal behaviors drive much of the narrative's appeal.
- Medical Fiction — The plot centers around interactions with physicians, highlighting contrasting medical practices and ethical dilemmas.
- Social Satire — The work critiques societal norms, professional reliability, and reliance on authority figures through ironic and exaggerated portrayals.
Tags
adventure · action · youth · classic · suspense · mystery · heroism · bravery · teamwork · problem-solving · excitement · historical
What this Textopian page supports
Send for the Doctor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Optic, dated 1854 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Optic
- Date: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Juvenile Fiction, Humor, Medical Fiction, Social Satire, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 3,792 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 109 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Send for the Doctor by Oliver Optic
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph