The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 03: Medical Poems

The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 03: Medical Poems

A sick man's chamber, though it often boast The grateful presence of a literal toast, Can hardly claim, amidst its various wealth, The right unchallenged to propose a health; Yet though its tenant is denied the feast, Friendship must launch his sentiment at least, As prisoned damsels, locked from lovers' lips, Toss them a kiss from off their fingers' tips. The morning visit,not till sickness falls In the charmed circles of your own safe walls; Till fever's throb and pain's relentless rack Stretch you all helpless on your aching back; Not till you play the patient in your turn, The morning visit's mystery shall you learn. But when at length, by fate's transferred decree, The visitor becomes the visitee, Oh, then, indeed, it pulls another string; Your ox is gored, and that's a different thing! Your friend is sick: phlegmatic as a Turk, You write your recipe and let it work; Not yours to stand the shiver and the frown, And sometimes worse, with which your draught goes down. Calm as a clock your knowing hand directs, Rhei, jalapae ana grana sex, Or traces on some tender missive's back, Scrupulos duos pulveris ipecac; And leaves your patient to his qualms and gripes, Cool as a sportsman banging at his snipes. But change the time, the person, and the place, And be yourself "the interesting case," You'll gain some knowledge which it's well to learn; In future practice it may serve your turn. Leeches, for instance,pleasing creatures quite; Try them,and bless you,don't you find they bite? You raise a blister for the smallest cause, But be yourself the sitter whom it draws, And trust my statement, you will not deny The worst of draughtsmen is your Spanish fly! It's mighty easy ordering when you please, Infusi sennae capiat uncias tres; It's mighty different when you quackle down Your own three ounces of the liquid brown. Pilula, pulvis,pleasant words enough, When other throats receive the shocking stuff; But oh, what flattery can disguise the groan That meets the gulp which sends it through your own! Be gentle, then, though Art's unsparing rules Give you the handling of her sharpest tools; Use them not rashly,sickness is enough; Be always "ready," but be never "rough." ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 7390
Author: Holmes, Oliver Wendell
Release Date: Sep 30, 2004
Format: eBook
Language: English