Fighting the Pirate King
BMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7327.1457 (Published 22 December 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:1457- M G Jacoby, family practitioner
- Patchogue, NY 11772, USA
When Isabella, my 6 year old granddaughter, asked, “Grandpa, why do you have the big scar in the middle of your chest?” I told her the truth, the whole truth, because you must never lie to a child. If you do, you may finish up with a child who can't be trusted—a child who may turn out to be a politician—either a little liberal or else a little conservative or something even worse. Of course there was no reason to confuse her by telling her about my mitral valve replacement and the horror of waking up intubated and unable to talk, frantically waving my hand around to show that I wanted a pencil and paper to …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.