The New Young Doctor

A young doctor moved out to a small community to replace the aging
doctor there. The older doctor suggested that the younger doctor
accompany him as he made his house calls so that the people of the
community could get to know him.

At the first house they visited, the younger doctor listened
intently as the older doctor and an older lady discussed the
weather, their grandchildren and the latest church bulletin. After
some time, the older doctor asked his patient how she had been
feeling.

"I've been a little sick to my stomach," she replied.

"Well," said the older physician, "you've probably been over doing
it a bit with the fresh fruit. Why don't you cut back on the amount
of fresh fruit you eat and see if that helps."

As they left the house, the younger doctor asked how the older
doctor had reached his diagnosis so quickly.

"You didn't even examine that woman," the younger doctor stated.

"I didn't have to," the elder physician explain. "You noticed I
dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there. Well when I bent over
to pick it up, I looked around and noticed a half dozen banana peels
in the trash can. That is probably what has been making her ill."

"That's pretty sneaky," commented the younger doctor. "Do you mind
if I try it at the next house?"

"I don't suppose it could hurt anything," the elder physician
replied.

At the next house, the two doctors visited with a widow. They spent
several minutes discussing the weather and grandchildren and the
latest church bulletin. After several minutes, the younger doctor
asked the widow how she had been feeling lately.

"I've felt terribly run down lately," the widow replied. "I just
don't have as much energy as I used to."

"You've probably been doing too much volunteer work for the church,"
the younger doctor suggested without even examining his
patient. "Perhaps you should ease up a bit and see if that helps."

As they left, the elder physician said, "Your diagnosis is probably
correct, but do you mind telling me how you came to that conclusion?"

"Sure," replied the younger doctor. "Just like you, I dropped my
stethoscope on the floor. When I bent down to pick it up, I looked
around and saw the preacher hiding under the bed!"