New-York tribune., 1901-06-23
HOSPITAL HUMAN NATURE
DIAGNOSIS IS DIFFICULT WHEN DOCTOR
AND PATIENT HAVE NO COM
MON LANGUAGE

An old saying credits clergyman with seeing
the best side of human nature, a lawyer the
worst and a doctor the truest Whatever may
be the accuracy IF the first two statements,
there is little doubt of the entire truth of the
last Pain twists the mask off most faces and
under stress Of nerves even murder will
The very sophisticated might perhaps preserve
some show of dignity, but those whose social
training has been less severe offer interesting
studies to any physician who is fond OF the
psychological end Of his profession. Any hos
pitaI on any afternoon when free patients
swarming in affords the observer field for his
philosophizing
Around a waiting room the Patients sit. ap-
rarently free from nervousness. awaiting the
summons 10 the desk OF the physician In charge
for the afternoon. They wait a long time. many
of them for = o'clock strikes sometimes before
those who came in at OF = 30 can be attended
to. Not being troubled either with rest,cssness
numerous engagements. they DO not seem 10
mind the company Of their own thoughts for
long. AS their fellows are called up Elanccs of
languid interest follow them but each is plen-
tfully provided with troubles Of his own.
As the patient takes seat 10y the doctor
curious conversations not infreGuently begin.
Doctor, dear" says one, "Oi hope you'n be-
after telling what's the matter Wild me for
it's a sick Oi am. The sidliness IN me
sich Oi scarcely draws breath widout
groanin. And me heart. doctor for hours itn
nyer beat at all. at all And me appetite is that
bad The doctor tries to stem the food of
eloquence and elicit a few facts unadorned 10y
Celtic Imagination and finally discovers that
neuralgia and lively fancy the chief trou-
bles.
A woman comes up with sickly baby, "A lit
tie over a year old Questions bring out the
fact hct has with
the small ''tummy." What do you give the
child to eat:" queries the doctor. "Joost = liddle
of whatever haf doctor" explains the
mother. "and Elm liddle pickle, Eow und again"
"A little WHAT asked the doctor in amaze
ment. Elm pickle reiterates the mother Fin
American lady, she says dot is eut for das kint
liddle stomach" To very surprised matron
it is explained that in spite of the american
lady's'' authority. pickles are not good for
babies dgestions. ard reform is promised but
rather doubtfully if the doctor might be
actuated by personal prejudice against the
monumental institution Of the Fatherand.
colored woman is troubled with rheuma-
usm in rather severe form, and her occupa-
ton is asked. "Ah Washes she answers. add
ing after a moment, to avoid nisundcrstand-
ing. Clothes" That's bad for rheumatism -
says the doctor. 'Ah know" SAYS she But
All prides mahself on NAH washin'. Dexterty
and celerity is nah motto, sah and Ah en-
deavors To gain the respect and confidence oh
dem for which All works. All could engage in
anoder profession, sab. but All could neber re
gard it SO honorable. Dexterity ana CELEBRITY
sah NAH motto was. is and eber shall be -
Cheerod 10y the encouraging news that the rheu-
matsm is not hopeless, she sweeps out of the
door with all the dignity of ''professional''
mo. II. calls the doctor. Fourteen is Il
grandmother, father mother a child of ten
and "A boy of fifteen. They are Italians and all
face the doctor anxiously. III answer to the
question Which is ill?' all gestculate wildly
with worried smiles. The old ady?'' suggests
the doctor. More gesticulaton. apparently of
negative character. Which speaks EngIish?''