The Cholera.
The cycle of infectious diseases, the usual morning, we prepare for the circumvention, report to the docent on new receipts, discussion of changes in the condition of patients over the past day, routine.
Fast steps and an open door, an excited studio explode the routine:
“Doctor, in the department – cholera!”
Everything and everything froze, the legendary severe infectious disease, the epidemics of which have plagued thousands of people - in the past, historically.
In our time - single cases in the south, no cases in Latvia, years as already 50, or even more. A forgotten disease, firmly seated in the legends of medical history. What we knew, the larvae of doctors, - quarantine, cruel," let everyone in, let no one out," compulsory treatment with antibiotics, intravenous infusions to save from dehydration...
All the attention turned to the docent - calm, I would even say - the flegmatic Latvian didn't seem surprised or alarmed.
Cold-blooded grandmother, I thought of myself, young man, do not panic.
Her self-control was really phenomenal.
She quietly asked the student to cover the door and report in order the history of the cholera patient.
The interpretative distinguished began to tame the usual phrases, facts, we gradually calmed down - until the case came to describe the symptoms...
Yes, this is actually cholera, the similarity of the symptoms was absolute and classic, as the textbook thought.
Being an excellent student, the studio teacher told about the patient, it seemed, everything...
We were wrong.
The assistant, asking if this is all and receiving the answer that yes, it is all, briefly thanked the speaker and melancholy noted, a good report, almost excellent, but one, the most important detail, missed.
Kaaak, what was the excited student?! to
“College, in your undoubtedly outstanding report you forgot to mention the profession of the patient...”
What does this mean for obvious cholera? Our excellent opponent.
“Normally, no one, but in your case, it’s the most important fact, believe me.”
“What evidence do you have?”The rising star of infectious diseases.
“Yes, don’t be upset, you’re not the first, you’re not the last, last week with another group he had a bubonic plague.
My prediction is that he will get typhoid next week.”
The docent smiled with her soft and somewhat mysterious smile, we did not understand anything from this beliberda - plague, cholera and typhus in one patient?!?! Why was he so angry with the gods that every week he got a new deadly disease?! to
“It’s very simple, colleagues, the patient is a doctor, retired.
Moreover, he is a former teacher of infectious diseases, who has traveled and seen many terrible diseases.
Now he has hepatitis, lying with him for a long time, he is already very tired of everything, so he has fun, playing future doctors.
The benefit, however, is great from it – it is a wonderful example of the importance of critical thinking in the most sad circumstances.
Don’t forget the lesson he taught us all.”
Years have passed, we have all turned from the larvae of doctors to matrix professionals of the stethoscope and scalpel, working around the world.
But I am sure that no one of us forgot this story.
With the coming holiday, don’t get sick!