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Rh until the opposite bank was reached. Arriving at the bedside of the patient he found him critically ill. Trained nurses were unknown, and it often devolved upon the doctor, as it did in this instance, to assume the post of nurse, sometimes to watch by the side of a patient throughout the night. The journey over the miry roads and swimming the Calipooia was repeated many times, until the hardships, fatigue and exposure to the contagion proved too much for the physician's strength. He, too, was stricken with the fever. After weeks of serious illness, health and strength were restored.

There were no hospitals, but sufferers had to be cared for. The doctor's doors were open to all, and many came; the sick, the lame and the blind sought his skill and found shelter and kindly care under his roof. Often that country home resembled more a hospital than a private residence. In the care of the afflicted his noble wife lent invaluable service. Her sweet and gentle presence made her tender care of these sufferers itself a healing balm. So dearly beloved was she and so highly valued in the community that the whole country about was in mourning over her death, which occurred within a few years. To this day no name is more tenderly revered by those who knew her than that of the good and beautiful Annie Alexander. Her mother was Lady Hastings, wife of Lord Hastings, though a second husband, Colonel Shombre, was the father of Mrs. Alexander.

Time brought many sad changes to Dr. Alexander. The irregular life and incessant toil of a country physician told upon his health, and manhood's later prime found him a physical wreck. Following came financial losses, and he had the sorrow of seeing the home he had carved out of the wilderness pass into other hands.

Surrounded by his children, whose devotion did much to lighten his sorrows and compensate him for his losses, he spent his last years in Santa Clara, Cal. There, in sublime patience, despite his great suffering, he awaited the summons that must come to all, and on Christmas day, 1902, he answered the call, having completed his four score years.