OVERDOSE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM

"An Artist in The University Medical Center"

Tulane University Press, N.O.,La., l989

May H. Lesser

In the intensive care area, the red blanket cases---the emergencies to be seen right away---are lined up three or four at a time. The resident in this print examines the eyes of a young man severely injured in a motorcycle accident. A nurse takes the victim’s blood pressure, while the paramedic starts an IV. In the same area, separated room from the rest of the room by a curtain, a doctor and nurse are trying to induce a woman who has overdosed on drugs to vomit.

Behind another curtain physicians are checking out an older man, suffering from jaundice. They are taking his blood pressure, a blood sample, and his temperature. They’re also examining his eyes, heart, lungs, and abdomen, and starting an IV.