
James Wheatley, a 55‑year‑old who hasn't seen a physician since the early 1960s, finally sits in a gleaming clinic, convinced his only problem is a sore toe. The young, fast‑talking doctor greets him with a barrage of questions about blood pressure, breathing and heart health, turning a simple complaint into a full‑body audit. As the conversation widens, Wheatley realizes his neglect may have set off a chain of examinations far beyond the original ache.
In the waiting room, a parade of specialists—gastroenterologists, cardiologists and radiologists—pop in and out, each offering elaborate theories and obscure tests. Their banter mixes earnest concern with dry humor, exposing the absurdity of modern medicine's penchant for over‑analysis. Wheatley is left both overwhelmed and oddly reassured, as the story teases the fine line between thorough care and needless complexity.
Language
en
Duration
~8 minutes (8K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-10-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1928–1992
A doctor who brought real medical insight into science fiction, he wrote fast-moving stories for both young readers and adults. His books often mix big ideas with a practical feel that comes from someone who knew medicine from the inside.
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