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Cheryl Mull
"Doctor, Is My End In Sight?" is a humorous look at the physicians' purview when plain folks participate in self-diagnosis.
1. Name three or more things, scenarios, or ideas that come to mind from Dr. Vance's comments in this book. Be specific on
details or ideas.
The man with the “Dunlop’s Disease” was fun to hear about, because it the patient had explained to the doctor
that this disease meant his belly had “done lopped” over his belt.
The ordeal of home remedies was interesting when a man took the skunk fat, melted it, and rubbed it on his chest to rid him
of pneumonia.
The Barter Theater (which is historical) was the place where food was exchanged for Theater tickets. Dr. Vance was happy
to enjoy a wonderful home cooked meal, after delivering a baby. Additionally, the parents were happy with the new child and
Dr. Vance was happy with receiving a 20 lb. ham.
Dr. Vance approached a female patient of his, and noticed snuff running out from the left and right sides of her mouth and
she also had a “touch of pregnancy”
2. Did Dr. Vance differ from other doctors, from doctor's you have worked with, in the way he listened to patients? Explain.
Dr. Vance was different from other doctors. He spent time with his patients. He tried to understand them, as he carefully
listened to them. He was known to sometimes visit his patients again on a social visit, except for the man who used pole
cat fat, he wasn’t interested in inviting himself back there (which is understandable).
Dr. Vance appeared to display skills in talking to his patients in layman terms. This probably made his patients love him
more and they probably felt quite comfortable around him.
3. Many folks, especially folks not from this area, think that Dr. Vance condescends or disrespects the folks he discusses
in this book. Tell, in detail, why you agree or disagree with this opinion.
No, I don’t think Dr. Vance showed any disrespect or was condescending. He was in tune, back in those days to talk/listen
to that dialect, along with his patients. The patients tried to “assist” the doctor by trying to help him figure
out what their problem(s) were.
Dr. Vance took note of many things his patients would tell him. This shows that he listened well to them. He came down to
their level and didn’t esteem himself higher. He was an “ole time doctor”, so it was probably more acceptable
to speak of the ole time language that was used “more back then” and this day and time we are more modernized.
Doctors now-a-days seem to hurry quite rapidly with their patients. Dr. Vance cared for his patients and would visit then
on social occasions too. He had respect for his patients and it appeared he had a good relationship with them.
4. If you had a chance to tell Dr. Vance's family ONE observation you gathered from the reading of this book, what would
that observation be?
I would tell Dr. Vance’ family that the situations that Dr. Vance encountered were quite interesting and humorous
at times.
I would tell them that Dr. Vance: appeared to be a very good listener, a humble man, understanding, and spoke in layman’s
terms. He believed in helping others: physically, emotionally and mentally, because he actually took notes and listened well
to the patients concerns. He exchanged goods for doctoring the patients.
This no doubt made the patients feel “somewhat” better like they were doing something great to reimburse the
doctor.
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