Joanne Norris

Tales of St. Mary's Joanne Norris

This book written by J. Roy Guyther, MD.is intended for the sole purpose of entertaining the reader. It is not a scientific text, although it may reveal the philosophy of the writer about the practice of general medicine in a rural setting. It is nothing more and nothing less than a series of short stories depicting some fascinating encounters of an average country doctor in the last half of the twentieth century. This era has been called the golden age of medicine because of the many technologic and therapeutic advances achieved. Before 1940, diagnostic technology was limited chiefly by x-ray. This scientific achievement allowed physicians to detect certain abnormalities beneath the surface of the human body, but the skill of the physician in analyzing patient's problems remained with the four techniques of physical diagnosis: inspection, auscultation, ( with stethoscope), Percussion and palpation (with the hand). The physicians best tool was his voice. careful questioning and listening gives the clue to most illnesses. The anecdotes herein are based on true stories. Names have been changed to protect the privacy and sometimes the reputation of the individuals involved. The book is worth learning what life was like in Southern Maryland in the mid-twentieth century. The author relate show his role model encouraged his study of medicine and he later writes of the value of house calls in the general practice of medicine, a lost art. A fascinating story is developed, based on historical facts of a brave young woman searching for her lover during the War of 1812. Out of this war came the national anthem of the United States. In another story, the doctor turns sleuth and learns about the dangers of patent medicines. Near the end of the book, his coauthor, JoAnne Norris, a freelance writer, presents four vignettes, in which she shows her skill at imagination and fantasy.