F. Symptoms of an Illness

A.: What’s the matter, you look unwell (seedy), your eyes are red and there is fullness (there are bags) under them. Have you fallen ill?

B.: I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I had such an awful stomach-ache that I was on the point of calling for urgent medical aid. However, after I took some soothing pills, the pain subsided (abated, became less).

A.: Is it the first time you’ve had stomach trouble?

B.: I have occasional attacks (bouts) of indigestion if I eat anything my stomach doesn’t agree with, but that is a rare case. A couple of years ago I thought my stomach could digest nails.

A.: It might have been an attack of appendicitis this time.

B.: I don’t think so. My brother has been operated on for appendicitis and he knows the symptoms of this disease. With me it’s something quite different.

A.: You’ll have to consult a specialist.

B.: I hate going to doctors.

A.: Who doesn’t? But pluck up your courage, old boy. A specialist will diagnose your case, but first be prepared to have your gastric juice tested and some analyses taken. He will prescribe a strict diet and some inoffensive drug for the time being.

G. 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 doctor reaches for the drill, then cleans and drills the tooth with it, inserts a piece of cotton-wool 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 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. I may direct you to a dental mechanic and he will do this for you.

H.:

- What’s the matter with your arm, Ann? Why is it in a sling?

- I was careless while boiling the milk this morning and scalded it. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran to the polyclinic, and the nurse there put some ointment on it and bandaged it. It is much better now, and I think it won’t blister.

I.

- Why are you limping, John? What is the matter?

- I was playing football yesterday and sprained my ankle. It hurts badly. I can hardly walk, as you see.

- You mustn’t walk at all. Lie down and put a compress on your ankle. That’s the best remedy. Call the doctor and he will give you a sick-leave for a few days.