# Chapter XXVI explained — Middlemarch > Chapter companion for Middlemarch by George Eliot. ## What happens Fred Vincy falls seriously ill with typhoid fever after visiting unsanitary streets in search of his horse. Mr. Wrench initially treats him but misdiagnoses the case, leading Mrs. Vincy to call in Lydgate, who correctly identifies the fever and takes over treatment. This causes professional friction between Wrench and Lydgate, with Wrench ultimately refusing further attendance. The chapter highlights the tensions in medical practice in Middlemarch and the community's gossip about Lydgate's arrival. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ambition and Frustration Lydgate's professional ambition and modern methods clash with the established medical community, leading to frustration and resentment from Wrench. ### Community and Gossip The town buzzes with rumors about Lydgate's arrival and his connection to Bulstrode, including Mrs. Taft's mistaken belief that Lydgate is Bulstrode's natural son. ### Money and Economic Pressure Fred's illness and the cost of medical care, along with his bad horse purchase, reflect the economic pressures on the Vincy family. ## Character check-ins ### Fred Vincy Falls seriously ill with typhoid fever after his visits to Houndsley streets; initially treated by Wrench, then by Lydgate. ### Tertius Lydgate Called in by Mrs. Vincy to attend Fred; correctly diagnoses typhoid fever and takes over treatment, causing professional conflict with Wrench. ### Rosamond Vincy Suggests calling Lydgate when she sees him outside; supports her mother during Fred's illness. ### Mr. Vincy Angry with Wrench for neglecting Fred; insists Lydgate continue treatment and drinks brandy as a precaution against infection. ### Mrs. Vincy Deeply distressed by Fred's illness; calls Lydgate in desperation and reproaches Wrench for his neglect. ### Mr. Wrench Initially treats Fred but misdiagnoses the fever; becomes offended by Lydgate's involvement and ultimately declines further attendance. ## Key lines > He reflected, with much probability on his side, that Lydgate would by-and-by be caught tripping too, and that his ungentlemanly attempts to discredit the sale of drugs by his professional brethren, would by-and-by recoil on himself. Wrench thought it likely that Lydgate would eventually make a mistake, and that his rude efforts to undermine fellow doctors' drug sales would backfire. _Wrench's resentment and prediction of Lydgate's downfall._ > Mrs. Taft, who was always counting stitches and gathered her information in misleading fragments caught between the rows of her knitting, had got it into her head that Mr. Lydgate was a natural son of Bulstrode's. Mrs. Taft, who picked up gossip in bits while knitting, mistakenly believed Lydgate was Bulstrode's illegitimate son. _Illustrates how gossip distorts information in the community._ > Irrational reproaches were easier to bear than the sense of being instructed, or rather the sense that a younger man, like Lydgate, inwardly considered him in need of instruction. Wrench found it harder to tolerate being silently judged as needing guidance by a younger doctor than to endure unreasonable accusations. _Highlights professional pride and the tension between generations of doctors._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxvi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters