He Lay in Pain

He Lay in Pain

The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 46, No. 4, p. 572, 2014 Copyright Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 0736-4679/$ - s...

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The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 46, No. 4, p. 572, 2014 Copyright Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 0736-4679/$ - see front matter

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.117

Humanities and Medicine HE LAY IN PAIN Richard M. Ratzan, MD Department of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut Reprint Address: Richard M. Ratzan, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102

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He lay in pain but unconcerned with pain. Three score less six with smile benign. At peace, No care so black would it his face deface. His eyes, his brain already drowned in sweet Excess, his diabetic kidneys beat, Besotted nerves with fire did feet defeat. A belly now that tumor did distend

RECEIVED: 14 May 2013; ACCEPTED: 22 August 2013 572

Since chemo failed and soon his life would end. To where and why did his young mind retreat, I asked his wife who smiled from ringside seat. He was the undefeated bantamweight Champ in Illinois, she smiled with praise: He has dementia. To me the champ nods Yes. Some rounds you’ve won before they weigh you in.