AND HOW DO WE FEEL THIS MORNING?
By Corey Ford '21Ad. Illustratedby Eric Gurney. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.:Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964. 61 pp. (paper-back). $1.95.
The medical profession has been the center of public interest and concern through a spate of magazine articles and books supplemented by TV productions like BenCasey, The Nurses, Dr. Kildare, GeneralHospital, The Medic, and so on ad nauseam. Today even folks who haven't been near a doctor or hospital for years are up to date on the latest surgical techniques.
But it's all so serious and grim. So along comes Corey Ford who writes a delightful little treatise spoofing doctors, hospitals, nurses, patients, and the public. The accompanying sketches by Eric Gurney alone are worth the price of admission to the Ford ward!
Some of the material in this book has been published by Mr. Ford in magazines previously, but he's added some new information drawn from first-hand knowledge. Several years ago he underwent a fairly serious and complicated operation at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover. I'm sure he didn't enjoy the experience, but Mr. Ford has that rare ability to see humor in almost any situation. And he documents beautifully the anguish of a patient before, during, and after surgery.
His most important contribution, however, comes through his unmerciful exposure of those human beings (our number is legion) who assiduously pursue the medical books, articles, and columns in a search for new ways to become healthier and happier.
It goes without saying that this is the ideal gift for that sick friend in the hospital or at home. But let's face it - we're the "sick generation," and we can all benefit from Mr. Ford's latest opus. Even Corey Ford will benefit, for remember he's still paying on those Hitchcock Hospital bills - poor man!
