Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: article

  • The oncologist’s mask

    Prasad Iyer Timah Road, Singapore   H.J. Pollitt: Hypnotized. Frederick H. Evans. Early 20th century. Philadelphia Museum of Art. As a pediatric oncologist I have learned to put on an invisible mask before seeing my patients and their parents. I try to bring them some cheer and keep the enveloping darkness at bay, if only…

  • Painting an honest image

    Rachel FleishmanPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States I send my colleague home to kiss her children, then go to the nursery to meet my patient. The obstetrician shows me the newborn’s penis; it will not stop bleeding. Together, we wrap it with a special gauze. Surgicel. The bandage turns a dark black, adhering to the bloody ridge…

  • From here

    Rasa Rafie Colorado, United States   Copies after Illustrations of Statues and Paintings (recto); Measurements for a Man’s Skeleton (verso). After Gerard de Lairesse. N.d. The Art Institute of Chicago. Public Domain. In college, we were the top of our class, the winners of scholarships and awards, the leaders of campus organizations. We were the…