Page 261 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

on. The question stands thus: in presence of indications of
tuberculous process, what is to be done to maintain
nutrition?’
‘But, you know, there are always moral, spiritual causes

at the back in these cases,’ the family doctor permitted
himself to interpolate with a subtle smile.
‘Yes, that’s an understood thing,’ responded the
celebrated physician, again glancing at his watch. ‘Beg
pardon, is the Yausky bridge done yet, or shall I have to
drive around?’ he asked. ‘Ah! it is. Oh, well, then I can do
it in twenty minutes. So we were saying the problem may
be put thus: to maintain nutrition and to give tone to the
nerves. The one is in close connection with the other, one
must attack both sides at once.’
‘And how about a tour abroad?’ asked the family
doctor.
‘I’ve no liking for foreign tours. And take note: if there
is an early stage of tuberculous process, of which we
cannot be certain, a foreign tour will be of no use. What is
wanted is means of improving nutrition, and not for
lowering it.’ And the celebrated doctor expounded his
plan of treatment with Soden waters, a remedy obviously
prescribed primarily on the ground that they could do no
harm.

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