I give out medicines
gratis. Mostly, they’re cheap, but exceptions exist. For unclear reasons my
supplier charges $17 for antibiotic ear drops but $1.50 for antibiotic eye
drops. Experts agree that it’s OK to use antibiotic eye drops in the ear, so
that’s what I do.
I felt pleased handing
over a bottle to a lady with swimmer’s ear. Ear infections are easy visits, and
guests appreciate that they do not have to hunt for a pharmacy.
My heart sank when the
guest’s insurer called the following day. She wanted another visit. I phoned
the guest who admitted that her ear was no worse, but now she had a fever,
headache, and sore throat. That was disturbing. Had I missed something?
I returned to the hotel.
She had a 102 temperature with swollen tonsils and swollen neck glands. Since she
was barely out of her teens, Strep throat was a reasonable diagnosis.
It’s a rule of medicine
that a doctor who makes two separate diagnoses is not thinking clearly.
Patients have one thing, but this woman definitely had swimmer’s ear and Strep
throat.
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