1298 days I've lived in Hungary (no, I don't actually keep track, carving each day like a prisoner on my wall; I estimated it out just now). There are many things I've gotten used to. Like thinking in forint, not dollars. Feeling heat in Celsius, not Fahrenheit. Bringing my own bag for shopping. In the more specific region of Hungarian health care, I've also adapted: getting naked in front of a doctor, nurse, and a couple random strangers? Sure, why not. Someone tells me that they have a headache/ leg ache/ minor depression because of the front passing through? Okay, I kinda buy it. I've even been sufficiently beaten down enough that when someone says "Last night I went out with wet hair and now I have a cold," I smile and nod and bite back a lecture about the modern science of germs and viruses.
But this:
Having tea prescribed by a doctor is something I will never accept. Never! I'm not at all sorry to cling firmly to my American roots in this matter. When I go to the doctor, I expect one of two answers. Either a kindly, "Here's some actual hardcore drugs," or a firm, "It's just a cold. Suck it up and get out of my office."
And I do know that tea, especially chamomile, does have some medicinal properties. Had this tea been prescribed for something like a sore throat, or an upset stomach, I wouldn't have questioned it's value. But what was it prescribed for? An eye infection. I just don't get it.
3 comments:
Maybe the doctor just figured you should kick back and relax a bit. :)
Um...I had that same bag! Tea prescribed to me while in Szerencs when I had a skin infection. I was supposed to rub it on my skin. Did it work? No. It ended up being surgically removed when I got back to the States.
Hey Emily,
Just as Kat said, it might be the case that it wasn't prescribed for you to drink it. Kamilla has a mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. I believe you should use the tea to wash your eye or keep on it a cloth for some time that you submerged into tea.
Or even, keep your eye in the vapour of the hot tea.
It won't do magic, but might help.
I hope you won't end up like Kat, with the surgical removal. ;)
Disclaimer: mind you, I am not quite sure that it's precisely true, so you shouldn't trust me entirely. :) Hungarian mothers/grandmas might know better, ask them, or the doctor.
http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamilla - here it says it used to be used to wash the infected eye, however now they don't suggest that you use it in case you are allergic to it.
And if a male doctor together with his friends want to see you naked because of your infected eye... well, that's suspicious to me ;)
Btw I have thoroughly enjoyed your writings, you have a very entertaining style, and a very admirable humble personality!
Keep'em coming, the posts!
Sanyi
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