The Pediatrician Goes to School

Abstract

WHEN I was in the third grade. the school doctor came to examine us. The nurse had weighed and measured us and checked visual and auditory acuity a few days earlier. All the boys in the room lined up in the auditorium and had their throats checked. Then he walked down the line listening to hearts, returned listening to lungs, and retraced his steps looking in ears. Abdomens were briefly pressed (he was sitting and we walked by him) and it was all over. In 20 minutes 15 of us had received the triennial examination required by law.