His Toenails Turned under Like a Monkey's
The next arrival was a bloated man, yelling, ailing, rotten,
unbathed, unshaved and curled up with pain.
He said he had pancreatitis and hadn't had a bowel movement in three days. He was examined by the staff member, who took a electrocardiogram, drew blood samples, and gave him intravenous fluids. The first admitting doctor was called in. At firs
t he couldn't remember the man, but finally he did. Then the patient praised him, saying he was the best doctor he ever had. The patient stood up to urinate. His toenails were long and curled under like a monkey's. He was left alone, and soon he quiete
d down without medication. The resident was pleased and explained to me, "He's relaxed now that he has an audience."
A yelling, ailing rotten, unbathed, unshaven, bloated man, curling up with pain. He said he had pancreatitis.
Department of Emergency Medicine
