anonymous

13th October 2018

THE PASSAGE OF THE DENTURES - 5

THE PASSAGE OF THE DENTURES - 5

DR H.L. CHULANI

Let me take you back to the lighter side of medicine. Julius, a shiphand, came to me with an unusual story. When on board the ship, he wanted to smuggle a watch. On being told that an inspection of the cadets was to be held, he panicked. He did not want to throw the watch away and also did not know where to conceal it. He inserted the watch into the rectum hoping that it would not be detected. His prayers were answered and the watch was not detected. He, however, could not pass the watch out of the rectum. I inserted an instrument called a sigmoidoscope to visualise the interior of the rectum and what do I see? The time of the day! That was the first time I could tell the time by looking within the rectum! The watch was easily removed and Julius went back a happy man.

There are people who insert various objects in the rectum. Most do it to derive sexual gratification. One such person came to the hospital complaining of passing blood and mucus in his stool. Examination showed a hard object within the rectum. An X-ray revealed the presence of a sickle the rectum, handle and all! We got ready to operate. The patient requested that he be permitted to go to the toilet since he had a strong urge to pass stool. He passed the sickle out. This is an instance when the patient pre-empted the surgeon and avoided surgery!