A Centenarian

Died on the 29th ult., in Ongar union workhouse, James Battle, a chimney sweep, aged 100 years, who had resided at Stanford Rivers nearly his whole life. About twelve years since, Mr Potter, sen., formerly an eminent surgeon at Ongar, but now deceased was called upon to attend Battle, and accompanied by his friend Dr. Rowe (now of Cavendish-square, London), they found their patient in most intense agony, and tried all the most approved remedies to obtain relief; but all their efforts were unavailing, and death appeared inevitable, when Mr Potter, with his usual promptness and decision, suggested the operation of puncturing the bladder, which was immediately adopted, and as speedily the patient’s sufferings were relieved. From Battle’s advanced age, neither Mr Potter and Dr Rowe anticipated that he could long survive the operation, which was only adopted with a view to his temporary relief.

However, upon his medical friend calling the next day he learnt with surprise that Battle had taken his daily walk, to enjoy his customary glass of ale at a public house half a mile distant. The deceased frequently underwent the same operation by the late Mr Potter, with similar success, and outlived the latter many years.