Page:Memoir of George B. Wood, M. D., LL.D.djvu/31

 was one which many others have approved; perhaps more even now than at the close of the war, since the trial of a different but imperfectly successful policy; namely, "the establishment, in the States which had forfeited their rights under the Constitution, of provisional governments, with officers appointed by the President and Senate, and under regulations prescribed by Congress, until, by a gradual amendment in the character or material of the population they shall be again fitted to govern themselves as constituent parts of the Union."

Another, and still nearer, cause of anxiety began, early in the same year, to throw, as he wrote in his Journal, a deep shadow over Dr. Wood's future. This was the discovery that a cancerous tumor was beginning to threaten his wife's health and life. His plans of travel were altered in consequence. A voyage to Athens, Constantinople and Egypt was given up; and after some farther stay in Italy, the party traveled slowly toward Paris.

There, after careful surgical consultation, in April, 1862, the operation of excision was skilfully performed by the veteran surgeon, Velpeau, assisted by Nélaton, and Dr. Beylard, then of Paris, but formerly of Philadelphia. Dr. Wood's feeling upon the subject of his wife's illness and suffering was expressed thus in his Journal: "She and my country are the objects nearest my heart; and, if I know myself, I would willingly give up my own life, could I thereby secure the continued