Small Pox

It was unusual. I was busy for once in my hospital. Close to forty patients inside two hours though the average patient turnout is hardly 4-5 per day. Of course, the symptoms, the diseases, the class of patients- females and children- were the same.

In came a person clad in a suit. Inside the hospital premises, i mean. Some local hot-shot, i presumed and diverted my attention to the inability of my patient to hear properly due to ear-wax. I was in a benign mood today.

One of the hospital people informed me that the officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police 'thana' was here and wanted to get examined. I asked him to show the fellow in.

In walked Mr OC. We were introduced. The guy made it clear that he was the person responsible for our safety and security not because of superlative policing but because of a strong bond with the thugs of the area. Maybe there was a veiled threat there. You dont treat me well, you are responsible for the consequences thereof.

After the round of pleasantries and after taking the patient's seat, i asked him his problem. He said simply,"I have got Small Pox."

I was thunderstruck! Maybe the Nobel I dreamt of was near! Or the Pulitzer! Oh! how I would expose the nexus of corrupt officials, spurious drug manufacturers, unimplemented health programs, misused money and the scheming politicians- who assort wealth and sit on top of it like a dragon. How I...

For a disease that was declared eradicated from the Earth by 1980- and which I had innumerably framed as a question in my quiz shows- was here before me allowing me my shot at the Pulitzer.

Or maybe the credit would go to the authorities because being a part of the Government system, I was duty bound to inform the concerned authorities...

That was what happened- what came into my mind rather- in the short time between him uttering the fateful sentence and me turning my head towards him, my pen stopped on the prescription form i was filling in. 'What did you say?' I asked. 'Small Pox' he said. 

'My dear fellow! There are hundreds of diseases common enough. Why did you need to suffer from a disease that has been eradicated? If you need it, we may invent a new disease for you though.'

He had a sheepish grin on his face. 'Actually, I need medical leave for five days. I was so busy with other works that I couldn't go and collect my salary' he said though his words implied, 'I was so busy collecting bribes that I failed to collect my salary, and yeah, contracted small pox too.'

Ethics are something we are taught to follow but no one has ever shown an example. And the lack of an example led me not only to suggest but also write a prescription advising five days bed rest. Never mind that the rest won't be in bed.

The OC thanked me profusely and shook my hand warmly (probably playing the role of your friendly, neighbouring OC- keeping you safe from the scum of the street by associating with them!). I watched him go sadly. I saw my Pulitzer Prize going with him vanishing with the sound of a jeep engine starting.

Sigh!