The Undiscovered Chekhov

A NEW

ILLNESS

AND AN

OLD CURE

Operations on the body produce symptoms analogous to bouts of fitful fever (febris intermutens). Before making the incision, spasms of the peripheral vessels induce pallor. Pupils dilate. Our general deduction is that the sight of the approaching specialists agitates the vascular motor center and the nervus oculomotorius. A chill ensues. During the incision, we note a rise in body temperature and hyperestesia of the skin. After the incision has been performed there is a fever. Sweat breaks out.

On the basis of this analogy, I propose that all medical students dissecting a cadaver take a dose of quinine before coming to school.