1913 Good for the Gout

Pillsbury, a hypochondriac, imagines he has the gout. The man makes a pest of himself at home and at the club. Jack is in love with Maud, Pillsbury's daughter. Maud promises to marry her sweetheart upon one condition, that he cure her father of his imaginary ills. Jack cheerfully undertakes the task. The boy secures the aid of several club mates. When Pillsbury arrives at the club that day and tells his tale of woe, he is introduced to "Dr. Slashem," a famous surgeon. Upon the "doctor's" assurance that curing the gout is his specialty, Pillsbury gladly accompanies the man to the "operating room." The hypochondriac is placed upon the table. Pillsbury glances about the room and sees several ghastly skeletons. He is terror-stricken. The "surgeon" advances upon Pillsbury with a murderous-looking saw. The victim quakes in fear. The operation is about to commence, when a male nurse enters the room and cheerfully announces the death of several gout patients. This is more than Pillsbury can stand. He makes a flying leap out of the window and runs home in record time. His gout is forgotten. Later, the man learns that "Dr. Slashem" was Jack in disguise. He has been jolted out of his imaginary ills, however, and readily consents to the boy's marriage with Maud.