The White Plague [Volume: 7(1988), pp. 431-504]

THE WHITE PLAGUE 437
spare no more than three minutes... That's right. (Hangs up and stands.)
See what it's like? You can't get a stitch of work done around here!
REPORTER
I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time.
SIGELIUS
That's all right, my boy, that's all right. Science and the public must continue to serve each other. Don't hesitate to call on me if I can be of further
assistance. (Offers his hand.)
REPORTER (shaking his hand)
Much obliged. Dr. Sigelius. It's been a great pleasure. (Bows his way out.)
SIGELIUS
Good-bye! (Sits down at his desk. There is a knock at the door. He picks
up his pen and writes a while before speaking.) Come in! (Enter Dr. GALEN.
He stands timidly at the door, waiting, while SIGELIUS continues to write,
his head down. Finally he speaks.) Well? How long are you going to keep
me waiting?
GALEN (stuttering)
I'm terribly sorry, sir... I didn't mean to disturb you... My name is
Galen...
SIGELIUS (still writing)
I am aware of that. Now what can I do for you, Dr. Galen?
GALEN
I.. I'm a general practitioner, sir. I work in... well, what might be
called a slum... and well, I get to se... to see a lot of... er, different
sorts of cases... because, well, poverty... it causes the proliferation...
SIGELIUS
Proliferation?
GALEN
Well, spread.
SIGELIUS
I see. A doctor should use plain language.
GALEN
Yes, sir... Anyway, with the recent pro... spread of the white plague...
SIGELIUS
Morbus Chengi, Dr. Galen, Morbus Chengi. A doctor should use precise,
scientific language.