FOOL.—Suppose you had amongst your menials an ailing oyster?
DOCTOR.—Oysters do not ail.
F.—I have heard that the pearl is the result of a disease.
D.—Whether a functional derangement producing a valuable gem can be properly termed, or treated as, a disease, is open to honest doubt.
F.—Then in the case supposed you would not favour excision of the abnormal part?
D.—Yes; I would remove the oyster.
F.—But if the pearl were growing very rapidly this operation would not be immediately advisable.
D.—That would depend upon the symptomatic diagnosis.
F.—Beast! Give me air!