The doctor looked shifty. “He’s still breathing,” he said…
““The doctor looked shifty. “He’s still breathing,” he said. “Look, his pulse is nearly humming and he’s got a temperature you could fry eggs on.” He hesitated, aware that this was probably too straightforward and easily understood; medicine was a new art on the Disc, and wasn’t going to get anywhere if people could understand it. “Pyrocerebrum ouerf culinaire,” he said, after working it out in his head. “Well, what can you do about it?” said Arthur. “Nothing. He’s dead. All the medical tests prove it. So, er…bury him, keep him nice and cool, and tell him to come and see me next week. In daylight, for preference." "But he’s still breathing!” “These are just reflex actions that might easily confuse the layman,” said the doctor airily. Chidder sighed. He suspected that the Guild, who after all had an unrivalled experience of sharp knives and complex organic compounds, was much better at elementary diagnostics than were the doctors. The Guild might kill people, but at least it didn’t expect them to be grateful for it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The doctor hides medical truth to preserve mystique, showing tension between knowledge and belief in a fantastical society.
In simple terms: Doctors may obscure facts to keep mystery alive.
Key Takeaway
Balance transparency with cultural context.
Themes
knowledge
belief
science
fiction
Mood
witty
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- medical practice
- education
- storytelling
- policy making
Key Concepts
ethics
communication
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to simplify complex information?
- How does myth affect public understanding of science?
A Different Perspective
Obscuring facts can erode trust in real‑world contexts.