When Running Is The Best Medicine

- The patient just… took off?
- Yes, Dr. Rollton, that's my best guess.
- But this is impossible! He was in no condition to move, let alone climb out the window. Look at his chart. Monday, August 10, 10:28 a.m. – high fever, delirium, convulsions.
- There was some improvement.
- When? August 11th – another major spike in body temperature, August 12th – chills and sweats, persistent chest pain, general weakness. You wrote this down yourself, didn't you?
- Yes, but…
- Thursday, August 13th, 5:45 p.m. – muscle aches; 6:30 p.m. – cramps; 8:22 p.m. – vomiting and spasms! Where is that important improvement you're talking about?
- He did feel better on Friday. See this note – Friday, August 14th, 9:15 a.m.?
- This says “ hallucinations.”
- No fever, though. And no complaints of pain whatsoever.
- Tell me more about the course of the patient's treatment.
- We gave him plenty of fluids…
- And?
- And rest.
- Dr. Bigsby. Are you seriously telling me that for 6 days that this patient was in your care, from 8:45 a.m. on August 10th to approximately 12 noon on August 15th, you didn't give him any medication at all? With those symptoms?
- Well… yes…
- You know what, Dr. Bigsby? I agree. The patient did run off. I myself have half a mind to do the same right now!