Разговорный английский

Besides its importance to health, there is a great charm in cleanliness. We like to look at one who is tidy and clean. If the skin is kept clean, the teeth thoroughly brushed, the hair neatly combed, and the finger-nails in order, we feel pleased with the person, even though his (her) clothes may be coarse and much mended.

A certain amount of exercise is necessary to keep the body in perfect condition. All the powers (mental and bodily) we possess are strengthened by use and weakened by disuse. Therefore labour and study should succeed each other. The best way of getting exercise is to engage in some work that is useful and at the same time interesting to the mind. It is most essential for the old and the young to do morning exercises with the windows wide open in your room or, if possible, in the open air.

Remember that exercises warm, invigorate and purify the body. Rest is also necessary to the health of both body and mind. The best time for sleep is during the darkness and stillness of the night.

Late hours are very harmful to the health as they exhaust the nervous system. We should go to bed early and get up early. It is a good rule to “rise with the lark and go to bed with the lark”.

Most essential to our body is food. Our body is continually wasting, and requires to be repaired by fresh substance. Therefore food, which is to repair the loss, should be taken with due regard to the exercise and waste of the body. Be moderate in eating. If you eat slowly, you will not overeat. Never swallow your food wholesale — you are provided with teeth for the purpose of chewing your food — and you will never complain of indigestion. We should abstain from everything that intoxicates. The evils of intemperance, especially of alcohol, are too well known.

Intemperance excites bad passions and leads to quarrels and crimes. Alcohol costs a lot of money, which might be used for better purposes. The mind is stupefied by drink and the person who drinks will, in course of time, become unfit for his duties. Both health and character are often ruined.

Thus we must remember that moderation in eating and drinking, reasonable hours of labour and study, regularity in exercise, recreation and rest, cleanliness and many other essentials lay the foundations for good health and long life.

2.      AT THE DOCTOR’S

PATIENT. May I see Doctor N., the therapeutist?

CLERK. Doctor N. is not receiving just now. You can see Doc­tor M.

P.      Where does he see his patients?

Cl. Room 20. Second floor to the right.

P. Thank you.

Q.      Are you all waiting for Doctor M.?

2nd P. No, there are only two of us to see Doctor M.

P. Is he a good specialist? I’ve never been to him before.

2nd P. Oh, yes, he’s quite an experienced doctor, I should say. He examines patients thoroughly. I’ve been ... Oh, here comes the patient. It’s my turn now. Excuse me.

In the Consulting-room

PATIENT. Good morning, doctor.

DOCTOR. Morning. What is wrong with you?

P. I’m awfully sick, doctor. All night I’d been having an awful pain in the stomach.

Dr. Why didn’t you call in a doctor?

P. Well, it had subsided a little in the morning so I thought I might come myself.

Dr. Where does it pain you?

P. Here, doctor.

Dr. Strip to the waist, please, and lie down on the couch.

(The patient undresses and lies down.)

Dr. Which side did you say the pain was on?

P. Right here, doctor.

(The doctor feels his stomach with his fingers.)

Dr. Any rigidity here?

P. I don’t feel any.

Dr. Here?

P. Oh, yes.

Dr. What have you been eating of late?

P. Well, I think everything that I’ve always been used to — meat, cabbage, and the like.

Dr. Does this often happen with you?

P. Not that I remember, doctor.

Dr. Seems you will have to be operated on for appendicitis.

P. Yes? I’m rather scared, doctor.

Dr. You needn’t be. Stand up and let me check your heart and blood pressure.

(The doctor checks.)

P. Is it all right, doctor?

Dr. Yes, and your blood pressure is almost normal, too.

(He gives the patient the thermometer.)

Put this under your armpit.

(After some time.) A slight temperature. You may dress now. Well, here is an admittance to the hospital. Good­bye.

3.      A CALL

MOTHER. Someone is ringing. Go and see who is at the door, Annie.

ANNIE. It’s the doctor, ma. He has come to see little George.

MOTHER. Good morning, doctor. I am sorry to tell you that my little boy is ill.

DOCTOR. Indeed! I am sorry to hear it. Where is he?

MOTHER. This way, doctor.

DOCTOR. How long has he been ill?

MOTHER. Since yesterday morning, doctor.

DOCTOR. Well, my little friend, what is the matter with you?

GEORGE. I have a pain in my head and in my throat.

DOCTOR. Let me see your tongue. It is thickly furred. Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse.

MOTHER. High, doctor?

DOCTOR. Rather. There is a little fever. (To George.) Have you any appetite?