1. AT THE DOCTORS
PATIENT. May I see Doctor N., the therapeutist?
CLERK. Doctor N. is not receiving just now. You can see Doctor M.
P. Where does he see his patients?
Cl. Room 20. Second floor to the right.
P. Thank you.
P. Are you all waiting for Doctor M.?
2 nd P. No, there are only two of us to see Doctor M.
P. Is he a good specialist? Ive never been to him before.
2nd P. Oh, yes, hes quite an experienced doctor, I should say. He examines patients thoroughly. Ive been Oh, here comes the patient. Its my turn now. Excuse me.
IN THE CONSULTING-ROOM
PATIENT. Good morning, doctor.
DOCTOR. Morning. What is wrong with you?
P. Im awfully sick, doctor. All night Id been having an awful pain in the stomach.
Dr. Why didnt you call in a doctor?
P. Well, it had subsided a little in the morning so I thought I might come myself.
Dr. Where does it pain you?
P. Here, doctor.
Dr. Strip to the waist, please, and lie down on the couch. (The patient undresses and lies down.)
Dr. Which side did you say the pain was on?
P. Right here, doctor. (The doctor feels his stomach with his fingers.)
Dr. Any rigidity here?
P. I dont feel any.
Dr. Here?
P. Oh, yes.
Dr. What have you been eating of late?
P. Well, I think everything that Ive always been used to meat, cabbage, and the like.
Dr. Does this often happen to you?
P. Not that I remember, doctor.
Dr. Seems you will have to be operated on for appendicitis.
P. Yes? Im rather scared, doctor.
Dr. You neednt be. Stand up and let me check your heart and blood pressure. (The doctor checks.)
P. Is it all right, doctor?
Dr. Yes, and your blood pressure is almost normal too. (He gives the patient the thermometer.) Put this under your armpit. (After some time.)
A slight temperature. You may dress now. Well, here is an admittance to the hospital. Good-bye.
A CALL
Mother. Someone is ringing. Go and see who is at the door, Annie.
Annie. Its the doctor, ma. He has come to see little George.
M. Good morning, doctor. I am sorry to tell you that my little boy is ill.
Dr. Indeed! I am sorry to hear it. Where is he?
M. This way, doctor.
Dr. How long has he been ill?
M. Since yesterday morning, doctor.
Dr. Well, my little friend, what is the matter with you?
George. I have a pain in my head and in my throat.
Dr. Let me see your tongue. It is thickly furred. Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse.
M. High, doctor?
Dr. Rather. There is a little fever. (To George.) Have you any appetite?
G. No, sir. I have not eaten since yesterday.
D. Are you thirsty?
G. Yes, sir.
Dr. Do you sleep well?
G. Sometimes. Last night I did not sleep at all.
Dr. I shall make out a prescription. (To the mother.) He should take the medicine a tablespoonful every 4 hours.
M. Yes, doctor. But is it serious?
Dr. No, you need not fear. Ill call around to-morrow at about the same time. Good-bye.
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M. Good-bye, doctor.
Assignments
Ex. 1. Go over the dialogues again and pick out the key-words and phrases that indicate the topic of illness and treatment.
Ex. 2. Retell the dialogues in the indirect speech: 1) speaking on the part of the patient; 2) reproducing doctors talk with the patient; 3) speaking on the part of the mother.
Ex. 3. Read the dialogues aloud and play them out. Learn one of the dialogues by heart.
BEING ILL AND SEEING A DOCTOR
A.
You know Howard has fallen ill.
Whats the matter with him?
Hes got everything: a sore throat, a sharp pain in the side, a headache, and a bad cough. Hes running a temperature, too.
Too bad. Youd better take him to hospital.
Thats what the doctor recommends. Ive just called an ambulance.
B.
How do you know John has been operated on today?
I called up the hospital.
How is he after the operation? Is he still unconscious?
The nurse said hes just come round.
Lets hope hell be up and about soon.
I believe its a matter of time now.
C.
What are you doing here?
Ive got an appointment with the dentist.
Got a bad tooth?
Yes. Ive got to have it pulled out. Its so painful.
Why not have it filled?
Too late.
D.
You dont look well. I hear youve been working hard recently.
As a matter of fact I have. Im completely run down.
You had better take a holiday. Also see your doctor and have a thorough check-up.
E.
Hows everybody at home?
The children are all right but my wife is laid up with the flue.
Im sorry. Has she been staying in bed long?
Nearly a week now.
Tell her she has my sympathies.
F.
How are you today?
Very much the same.
I am all right. You keep well too.
G.
Hows the sick man? Not getting worse I hope?
Hes much better today.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
Thank you.
H.
Whats the matter with Jack?
Hes got poisoned.
Too bad. See to it that he keeps to a diet, otherwise he may have complications.
Speech Exercises
