course, it ’ s not surprising. I don ’ t have the statistics—though you do, in all probability.” His own eyes sparked a bit. “But I ’ d estimate there are about two hundred guests in this hotel, just as I figure at least half of ’ em are connected with the Group. The place is close; the hotel is good. I reckon we all of us live here on that account, Miss Arning .”
If she ’ d known how, she might have apologized. As it was, she blushed furiously—a real blush, now—and in plain and simple confusion, she hurried toward the elevators.
Phil didn ’ t say anything else, nor did he move from where he ’ d been standing when she ’ d plunged in through the doors, but he did turn enough to look after her, thoughtfully, while he lit a cigarette.
He was grinning when he went outside. It appeared to him— Pardner —that a little cloudy water filled that-there test-tube. Miss Arning might resent his projected scientific examination of the matter, but she was a darned good - looking girl when she got riled up.
CHAPTER 8
Time went on, of course, and Phil became steadily more involved in the hospital busyness around him. He was a likable guy, and became popular with the patients as well as the personnel. His skill was understandable in the prenatal clinic, but the old folks in the urology department were just as enthusiastic about the new doctor.
He had a quick understanding of the fears and doubts which could complicate an old person ’ s illness. This was unique in a young doctor, and his patients praised him so often that the good word went swiftly through the Staff ranks: “That Dr. Scoles is a good man.”
By this time, Phil had got down to work on his project of comparative histories and arterial records, but he continued to take a warm interest in every patient who sat on the clinic benches, especially those who were directed into his cubicle for examination and advice. It came to be told around the Group that Dr. Scoles would take exceeding pains with the fears of an old woman, faced at seventy-nine with her first hospital experience. She might have had five children, but she ’ d had them at home with a practical nurse or a midwife to care for her.
This hospital affair would be different. Recognizing her unhappiness as a possible complication, Phil saw to it that she became acquainted with the nurses and the doctor who would take care of her. He insisted that that doctor take a little time to visit with her. Garrulous as she was, undoubtedly, she had the nerve and heart complications of all older people, and the little operation which she faced would remain little if the patient was relaxed and unafraid. He urged the nurses to consider the modesty of old people — both in his clinic, where he insisted on that consideration, and in the wards where he advised it. There is no pride of body in the old; young Dr. Scoles sensed this important fact, and respected his old patients to the point where their own self-respect was restored.
Most of their ills would not promise cure, but Phil argued that any restoration of seemingly normal activity was a worthwhile goal. So he carefully examined every old man and woman who came to the clinic, endeavored to stop such pain as they had, and restore enough activity so that the men could take short walks, and the women could visit their friends or do a little housework. Phil was pleased with his work in the urology clinic; it gave him material for his “research” record, and he began to plan the paper which he would write.
The Urology Head said Scoles should make that field his specialty. This was hotly debated by the Obstetrics Head; Phil was entirely too good in his own field. Dr. Urology should see him, and hear him advise couples who ’ d been disappointed in their wish for a family. And then—how quick he was to spot an abnormality in a pregnancy! The young mothers adored him—and the young husbands liked him, too, which certainly was an
If she ’ d known how, she might have apologized. As it was, she blushed furiously—a real blush, now—and in plain and simple confusion, she hurried toward the elevators.
Phil didn ’ t say anything else, nor did he move from where he ’ d been standing when she ’ d plunged in through the doors, but he did turn enough to look after her, thoughtfully, while he lit a cigarette.
He was grinning when he went outside. It appeared to him— Pardner —that a little cloudy water filled that-there test-tube. Miss Arning might resent his projected scientific examination of the matter, but she was a darned good - looking girl when she got riled up.
CHAPTER 8
Time went on, of course, and Phil became steadily more involved in the hospital busyness around him. He was a likable guy, and became popular with the patients as well as the personnel. His skill was understandable in the prenatal clinic, but the old folks in the urology department were just as enthusiastic about the new doctor.
He had a quick understanding of the fears and doubts which could complicate an old person ’ s illness. This was unique in a young doctor, and his patients praised him so often that the good word went swiftly through the Staff ranks: “That Dr. Scoles is a good man.”
By this time, Phil had got down to work on his project of comparative histories and arterial records, but he continued to take a warm interest in every patient who sat on the clinic benches, especially those who were directed into his cubicle for examination and advice. It came to be told around the Group that Dr. Scoles would take exceeding pains with the fears of an old woman, faced at seventy-nine with her first hospital experience. She might have had five children, but she ’ d had them at home with a practical nurse or a midwife to care for her.
This hospital affair would be different. Recognizing her unhappiness as a possible complication, Phil saw to it that she became acquainted with the nurses and the doctor who would take care of her. He insisted that that doctor take a little time to visit with her. Garrulous as she was, undoubtedly, she had the nerve and heart complications of all older people, and the little operation which she faced would remain little if the patient was relaxed and unafraid. He urged the nurses to consider the modesty of old people — both in his clinic, where he insisted on that consideration, and in the wards where he advised it. There is no pride of body in the old; young Dr. Scoles sensed this important fact, and respected his old patients to the point where their own self-respect was restored.
Most of their ills would not promise cure, but Phil argued that any restoration of seemingly normal activity was a worthwhile goal. So he carefully examined every old man and woman who came to the clinic, endeavored to stop such pain as they had, and restore enough activity so that the men could take short walks, and the women could visit their friends or do a little housework. Phil was pleased with his work in the urology clinic; it gave him material for his “research” record, and he began to plan the paper which he would write.
The Urology Head said Scoles should make that field his specialty. This was hotly debated by the Obstetrics Head; Phil was entirely too good in his own field. Dr. Urology should see him, and hear him advise couples who ’ d been disappointed in their wish for a family. And then—how quick he was to spot an abnormality in a pregnancy! The young mothers adored him—and the young husbands liked him, too, which certainly was an
Similar Books
