27-4
He gives the appropriate advice:
Note: This is
an example of
how some of
the pictures in
Where There Is
No Doctor and
this book can be
developed into role
plays, stories, and
skits. (Picture from
p. w19 of WTND.)
But Marta insists that her son needs an injection of Respicil. (This is an antibiotic
containing penicillin and streptomycin, commonly used in Mexico for colds, by
doctors and by people in general.) The health worker explains as best he can why
antibiotics are of no help for colds and may be harmful, but Marta looks doubtful. She
thanks the health worker and leaves.
Scene 2. Another mother, Gloria, arrives with her daughter. Ana, who has a bad cold, too.
Gloria also wants her child to be injected. But she listens to the health worker’s advice
and decides to try treating Ana with fruit juice, aspirin, and good food. For the cough, she
agrees to give her daughter lots of water, and to have her breathe hot water vapors. The
health worker shows Gloria how.
Scene 3. Marta, on leaving the health post, goes to the home of an inyectadora (a woman
who injects). Much to Ringo’s protests, the woman
injects him. He screams in pain. Then, limping and
crying, Ringo is led away by his mother.
Scene 4. (Several days later.) Marta brings Ringo to the health worker. The boy limps
in with the aid of a stick. He has a high fever, and an abscess on his backside where he
was injected. The health worker recommends hot soaks and other appropriate treatment.
He reminds Marta not to inject any of her children the next time they have a cold.
Scene 5. On their way home. Marta and Ringo meet Gloria and Ana on the street.
Gloria asks Marta why her boy is limping. Marta explains, but adds, “At least the
injection cured him of his cold!”
“Maybe not,” says Gloria. “My Ana had a bad cold
at the same time as your son. But I followed the health
worker’s advice. I gave her lots of fruit juices and aspirin
and good food. She got over her cold in no time!”
“I’m sure glad I didn’t get an injection and end up like
you,” says Ana to Ringo.
“Next lime my boy has a cold, I won’t have him injected
either,” says Marts. “I’ll just give him aspirin!”
“Don’t forget fruit juice, lots of water, and good food,”
says Ana. “They help fight off the cold. Next time Ringo
will get well again as fast as I did!”