WHEN THE DOCTOR COMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6842, 21 February 1929, Page 11

WHEN THE DOCTOR COMES

la my school, days, a prominent wallsheet in many emss-ra-im, u—o me heading in large print, “What to do till the doctor comes," says a writer in a Sydney paper, the assumption being that doctors were not so quickly and so easily summoned as they are in these days of telephones and motorears, and that, in the intervening time many complications might ensue if first aid were not promptly rendered. In the present age, however,- this heading might with advantage be altered to “What to do when tno doctor ccmes," and the advice hitherto given might be altered to consist of nints for the members of the household, who ore not needing the doctor’s attention. It is most important that the patient should not be rendered unnecessarily nervous by the announcement in the various notes of excitement that “The dcotor is coming," “He’s at the gate" etc. The chief rule to, keep oeiore one’s mind at such a time is “Hoop cool." The doctor, having probably come some distance, expects to find his patient in a fit state for examination, and, therefore, conditions should be as normal as possible. The ordinary routine of household work should be carried on as usual, only one suitable person being detailed to attend to t'ho extra duties which the doctor’s visit entails. Tip-toeing past the door of the sick room and talking in whispers in the passage serve to create a tenseness which is detrimental to tho success of tho doctor ’s examination and to tho tranquility of tho patient’s pulse. On the other hand, no bustling or scurrying should attend the doctor’s ai rival.

There are one or two little things, more important than they sound, which the person who is in charge of tho patient should remember. She is expected to have in readiness a bowl of water (in cold weather let it be warn water) in which the doctor may wash Lis hands; paper and pencil, or pen and ink, in case a prescription is necessary, and a chair for the medico (he doos not spend much time resting).

When the doctor departs do not wipe tho tears from your eyes in full view of the patient, and do not announce the verdict in whispers to an asesmbled household in tho next room. Enter the sick room with a cheery greeting and, above all, follow tho doctor’s instructions to the letter.