14. Saturday
Three days after Joe Pro's surgery; a Saturday, and Dr Davidoff does his weekly morning rounds.
Leo Davidoff is too famous to attend to usual duties so he delegates Stan his senior fellow to run things. But he shows up Saturday at 8 AM. Except for the chance to scrub in with him at brain operations, the Saturday morning rounds are the only times that intern Goldberg gets the favor & flavor of the great Leo. (As Davidoff is called behind his back)
Saturday is holy day for orthodox Jews, and Montefiore is a Jewish charitable hospital but, as Goldberg knows from his own home, almost all Jews, except a fanatic fringe, separate medical care from religion.
Now, on the hot mid July morning with all fans blowing at 8 AM before the nurses station, Dr Stan and Goldberg await Davidoff's coming. Stan quickly says. "Irving, I appreciated your work with Joe Pro. From now on: No more Sir or Dr Pelc. Just, Stan."
The phone rings.
Stan says, "He's coming. Get ready."
Leo Davidoff himself rounds the corner; beside him is his young middle-aged secretary, Miss Prissy, carrying a battered black briefcase and followed by Nurse Sheila. It is not the Army but Stan and Goldberg seem to stand a little taller. "Good morning, Sir." The chief officer alone greets Davidoff who nods and briskly heads for the beds.
The doctors rounds in hospitals are standard. It could be the routine daily where each patient's case is reviewed with chart rack and nurses attending, or the chief's, like now. Each bed is stopped at, the junior officer recites the case and its progress, and the senior or chief comments or suggests or quizzes.
Joe Pro is sitting up with head encased in what looks like a football helmet. He addresses Davidoff and waves at the others with right hand. "Mornin' Doc. How'm I doin'?"
Goldberg knows that no one normally speaks directly to Davidoff, and a preliminary Sir is not just de rigueur; it has something to do with Davidoff himself. Looking at Davidoff one is impressed by an overall neatness. His combed-back, slightly oiled black hair (Nurse Sheila adds "and dyed") and the mid brow pointed hairline with its central parting sets off a quiet face with unobtrusive nose, a well-groomed thin (Nurse Sheila adds "and waxed") mustache, and ascetic looking lips. He is in conservative light summer suit under white doctor coat signifying his status. Quiet is the word for Davidoff's look and it inspires a quietness in others. No one makes small talk with him. But an exception: patients he has operated like Joe Pro are allowed privileges.
"Mr Provenzano. I have gone over your chart and reviewed the pathological specimen so I can answer exactly. You are doing fine."
"When can I get outa here?"
Davidoff surprises Goldberg by turning to him. "You are in charge of the case, Dr Goldberg?"
Thinking quickly, Goldberg says, "If tomorrow's skull x-ray is OK, he could be discharged with a weekly clinic visit, Sir."
"Make a note, Miss McCabe." Davidoff says signifying approval.
Joe turns to Goldberg. "T'anks fella! T'anks a million." Then waving his arm "T'anks all a yo from Joe Pro."
At 9 AM the rounds end. Davidoff is a stickler for exactness. Time for Saturday conference and the group goes into the room inside the nurse station. Goldberg is surprised to see the physicist who'd assisted the surgery sitting at the head of the long, oval, shiny mahogany table. After they all are seated, Davidoff, standing beside the physicist, says; "Robert, I want you to give my staff a summary of the future of magnetic pulsing in neurology. It is cutting edge. You young minds need it. Now I have to go. See you all next week." His prissy secretary follows him out the door and closes it quietly.
Robert then tells them that magnetic pulses therapy is one of the many discoveries of the brilliant Serbian physicist Tesla. He reminds his listeners that magnetic fields are a form of electromagnetic waves that run at right angles to electric waves. In contrast to electricity, magnetism does not directly interact with the body tissue but it affects brain function by reversing the electric potentials of neurons. As the doctors had seen in the case of Mr Provenzano, magnetic pulses are capable of inhibiting anxiety in a way that does not damage the brain. He and Dr Davidoff are now researching the application of magnetic pulsings through skull as treatment of conditions like schizophrenia, mania, severe depression, obsessive-compulsion. The research is just beginning - but even if the effects are mild; still, if compared to electroshock therapy, it is harmless, and that makes it worthwhile giving the good college try.
Goldberg likes "good college try." He decides he will ask Stan to speak to Davidoff and see if he can help in the research. It is a fruitful hour.
As the others file out, Nurse Sheila, taps Goldberg on shoulder. "Irving! I hope you excuse the familiarity but you may call me Sheila. Are you doing anything, tomorrow? Ain't it your day off? We can meet in front of my nurses residence 7 AM?"
They are alone. Goldberg, who comes from a religious Jewish background, is not used to attractive 29-year-old blonde shiksas making passes. But he instantly decides - I think I'm going to like her here. So he says Yes. And Sheila turns and leaves immediately, thinking, With a Jewish boy, stop while he's still in sight.
To read the Sunday date next chapter, click 13.15 Sunday with Sheila
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