Between Two Boys on Injuries

B: (Seeing his friend come out of the doctor's office.) Hello, Mike, what happened to you? Why is your arm in a sling?

M: I had a bad fall from a bicycle and broke my arm.

B: How awful! Have you any pain now?

M: It still hurts, but not so much as before. The fractured (broken) bone has been set and now my arm is in plaster of Paris.

B: So you can't use your arm now, can you?

M: I shan't be able to use it until the plaster is taken off. And now what are you doing here?

B: You see, I sprained my ankle today when jumping over a gym-house.

M: Well, it's nothing much to come to the doctor with. Apply a cold compress to it overnight and you'll get the swelling down. I'm sure. I had that sort of thing a year ago. I was limping for a few days, that's all.

Notes:

in a sling — на перевязи;

plaster of Paris — гипс;

to sprain the ankle — вывихнуть ногу в голеностопном суставе

 

5. At the Dentist's

D: What's troubling you?

A: One of my front teeth is working loose, and there's a big one (a wisdom tooth) at the back that wants seeing to.

D: You have to have this one out. It is a pity you didn't have it looked at (seen to) before.

A: I wish to goodness I had.

D: Does that other tooth pain (hurt) you now?

A: Not particularly, just a dull steady pain.

D: The tooth is decaying and must be stopped, (filled)... (The doctior reaches for the drill, then cleans and drills the tooth with it, inserts a piece of cottonwool in the cavity (hole) and proceeds to make a filling.) This will be a temporary filling, I'll make a permanent one next time... Now we'll attend to the front tooth. Shall I apply an anaesthetic to deaden the pain.

A: Yes, if you please.

D: Here is your tooth extracted (pulled out). Now rinse your mouth, please.

A: (Rising from the chair and looking into the mirror.) The empty space doesn't improve my looks any. How about having a false tooth put in?

D: You'll have to have a small bridge made and two crowns on which to suspend the false tooth. Imay direct you to a dental mechanic and he will do this for you.

Notes:

The tooth is working loose - Зуб шатается

You must have the tooth (pulled) out - Вам нужно удалить зуб

I wish to godness - exclamation expressing a strong wish

anesthetic - обезболивающее средство

 

6. Listen to the two patients talking to the doctor. Make notes about each of them and fill the chart.

Patient Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Mr. Right      
Mrs. Smith      

Doctor: Hello, Mr.Right. How are you feeling?

Mr. R: I feel a bit under the weather. I’ve got a splitting headache and ache all over the body.

Doctor: You’ve probably eaten something. Let me see. Yes, you’re running a temperature. I think you’re going down with flu.

Mr. R: How long will it take me to get over? I need to get back to work as soon as possible.

Doctor: About four or five days. I’ll prescribe you some medicine. Take these tablets three times a day after meals. Stay in bed with a hot water bottle and drink a lot of tea with lemon and honey.

 

* * *

Doctor: Hello, it’s Mrs. Smith, isn’t it?

Mrs. S: That’s right, doctor.

Doctor: What can I do for you?

Mrs. S: I’m always tired, doctor. I’m absolutely worn out at the end of the day.

Doctor: Are you eating regular meals?

Mrs. S: Well, I don’t really have time to eat. I’m too busy with the children. They are very active boys.

Doctor: I’ll write out a prescription for some extra ferrum and the vitamins, and I’d like you to come back in a couple of weeks so I can see how you’re getting on.

Mrs. S: Thank you, doctor.

Read the dialogue and learn it by heart.

A Visit to the Doctor

- Well, what's the matter with you, Mr. Walker?

- You'd better ask me what is not the matter with me, doctor. I seem to be suffering from all the illnesses imagin­able: insomnia, headaches, backache. indigestion, constipation and pains in the stomach. To make things still worse, I've caught a cold, I've got a sore throat and I'm constantly sneezing and coughing. To crown it all, I had an accident the other day, hurt my right shoulder, leg and knee, and nearly broke my neck. If I take a long walk, I get short of breath. In fact, I feel more dead than alive.

- I'm sorry to hear that. Anyhow, I hope things aren't as bad as you imagine. Let me examine you. Your heart, chest and lungs seem to be all right. Now open your mouth and show me your tongue. Now breathe in deeply, through the nose... There doesn't seem to be anything radically wrong with you, but it's quite clear that you're run down, and if you don't take care of yourself, you may have a nervous break­down and have to go to hospital. I advise you, first of all, to stop worrying. Take a long rest, have regular meals, keep to a diet of salads and fruit, and very little meat. Keep off alco­hol. If possible, give up smoking, at least for a time. Have this tonic made up and take two tablespoonfuls three times a day before meals. If you do this, I can promise you full recovery within two or three months.

- And if I don't, doctor?

- Then you'd better make your will, if you haven't yet done so.

- I see. Well, thank you, doctor. I shall have to think it over and decide which is the lesser evil: to follow your advice or prepare for a better life.