The author's objective in this book of rhyme is to amuse while he tries to teach. He does not claim to be a poet; neither is he a professional humorist. However, the line drawings by Peter Collingwood are clever and humorous. The subjects about which the author endeavors to rhyme are intestinal obstruction, ectopic gestation, peritonitis, pancreatitis, colic, acute dilatation of the stomach, and treatment. The trend of his rhyme is toward problems of diagnosis and pathology. For example:
True renal colic one can soon decide
For all the pain is felt on the one side
And when you come to make examination
The kidney may be tender on palpation,
While pain may radiate to—inter alia—
The iliac region or the genitalia;
And here, although the caution somewhat trite is,
Remember renal colic on the right is
Oft taken for a plain appendicitis.
A specimen of urine you must see