Sketches

In the clinical years of medical school, and on through internship and residency, I would often sit in the out-patient waiting areas and strike up conversations. With a person’s permission, I would spend a few minutes sketching him or her and jotting down our dialogue.

My medium was simple: black ball-point pen and whatever paper was handy—blotters, prescription blanks, or note pads with advertisements at the bottom for Aldactazide, Empirin, or Actifed.

-Alan Blum, MD