Volume 10 — WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE

BY S. E. KISER

He looked at my tongue and he shook his head— This was Doctor Smart— He thumped on my chest, and then he said: "Ah, there it is! Your heart! You mustn't run—you mustn't hurry! You mustn't work—you mustn't worry! Just sit down and take it cool; You may live for years, I can not say; But, in the meantime, make it a rule To take this medicine twice a day!" He looked at my tongue, and he shook his head— This was Doctor Wise— "Your liver's a total wreck," he said, "You must take more exercise! You mustn't eat sweets. You mustn't eat meats, You must walk and leap, you must also run; You mustn't sit down in the dull old way; Get out with the boys and have some fun— And take three doses of this a day!" He looked at my tongue, and he shook his head— This was Doctor Bright— "I'm afraid your lungs are gone," he said, "And your kidney isn't right. A change of scene is what you need, Your case is desperate, indeed, And bread is a thing you mustn't eat— Too much starch—but, by the way, You must henceforth live on only meat— And take six doses of this a day!" Perhaps they were right, and perhaps they knew, It isn't for me to say; Mayhap I erred when I madly threw Their bitter stuff away; But I'm living yet and I'm on my feet, And grass isn't all I dare to eat, And I walk and I run and I worry, too, But, to save my life, I can not see What some of the able doctors would do If there were no fools like you and me.