Another Stoic - The Life of a Hotel Doctor
"She thinks her drink was spiked," explained the caller whose friend was bent over the toilet, vomiting.
I explained that alcohol is a toxic drug and occasionally provokes this reaction. Common stomach viruses cause most vomiting. Did her friend want me to come?
"I'll ask."
I waited for a long time.
"She wants to know if we can buy a medicine."
I said that there are no good over-the-counter antivomiting drugs, but most vomiting episodes don't last long.
"I'll tell her."
I waited for a long time.
"Will you give her a shot to stop the vomiting?"
I explained that I carry antivomiting shots and antivomiting pills and that they work pretty well. It's a bad idea for a doctor to make promises.
"Hold the line."
I waited a long time.
"She wants to know what she can eat."
"Nothing," I said. She should suck on a piece of ice until she hasn't vomited for a few hours.
By now I suspected that the guest was not inclined to spend money. This is common, especially in Americans.
"Does she want me to come?" I asked.
After the usual wait, I learned that she planned to take my advice and call back if she needed assistance.