DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

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Eve Drewelowe's journals, volumes II-III, 1950s

Page 063

73. was such a lack of scientific approach to medical problems. Once more the diagnosis was complete without adequate and substantiating facts. I remember no blood tests having been taken. Not even a thorough general examination was given; only the superficial punching of the abdomen. The insufferable conceit of some surgeons is beyond understanding! How is it possible to be so sure of oneself without the certainty based on facts? As the plans of the greedy surgeon were pushed forward I was prepared for the appendectomy in the usual manner - I presume. It had also been decided that there was to be an exploratory, to determine whether there was any further trouble located otherwise in the abdomen or in the stomach itself. There has always been a question in my mind regarding the exploratory. Could it have been handled efficiently? The morning of the operation dawned bright and cool. The time scheduled was nine - I believe - but that is relatively unimportant. I was accordingly prepared in the customary methods. Atropine discontinued the flow of digestive juices in the stomach; saliva dried in my mouth and curdled on my tongue; opiates dulled my senses. My head felt thick and my body heavy. In fact I had been made thoroughly uncomfortable. And so we waited - and we waited! Still no

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73. was such a lack of scientific approach to medical problems. Once more the diagnosis was complete without adequate and substantiating facts. I remember no blood tests having been taken. Not even a thorough general examination was given; only the superficial punching of the abdomen. The insufferable conceit of some surgeons is beyond understanding! How is it possible to be so sure of oneself without the certainty based on facts? As the plans of the greedy surgeon were pushed forward I was prepared for the appendectomy in the usual manner - I presume. It had also been decided that there was to be an exploratory, to determine whether there was any further trouble located otherwise in the abdomen or in the stomach itself. There has always been a question in my mind regarding the exploratory. Could it have been handled efficiently? The morning of the operation dawned bright and cool. The time scheduled was nine - I believe - but that is relatively unimportant. I was accordingly prepared in the customary methods. Atropine discontinued the flow of digestive juices in the stomach; saliva dried in my mouth and curdled on my tongue; opiates dulled my senses. My head felt thick and my body heavy. In fact I had been made thoroughly uncomfortable. And so we waited - and we waited! Still no