Between a Mother (M), her Son (S) and the Doctor (D)

M.: Your nose is clogged up, your voice is hoarse and your face flushed. You must have a cold. I’m sure. I hope it’s nothing more. Where did you manage to get it?

S.: I don’t know myself. I must have caught cold last night after a game of football when I felt so hot that I even took my jacket off.

M.: How thoughtless (careless) of you, the evening was chilly and windy. Now you’ll have to stay in. Here’s the thermometer, take your temperature.

S.: Oh, I’ll be all right in a few hours.

M.: Now you do what you are told. Put the thermometer under your arm (in the armpit)… Oh, it’s thirty eight point three. You’ll have to stay away from classes today. I’ll call the doctor (I’ll have the doctor in). (She phones to the local out-patient hospital and is told that the doctor will call while making his daily round of the district).

D.: What do you complain of, my boy?

S.: I have a bad (splitting) headache and a sore throat. I feel sort of feverish.

D.: Let me feel your pulse. Open your mouth, please. I see your tongue is coated and your throat inflamed. Now, strip to the waist, please. (the doctor sounds the boy’s lungs.) Take a deep breathe… (To the mother.) Your son is to keep his bed for three days. Here is the prescription. The medicine is to be taken three times a day before meals, two tablespoonfuls each time. It will help to keep the fever down. (To the son) Blow your nose gently, young man, or else you’ll have an earache…. Nothing serious, but don’t get up before Wednesday, as there might be complications (bad after-effects).