Dr. Menton
Biography
The family's first doctor. Unable to diagnose Diana's early symptoms, he referred her to Illinois Research Hospital. Made nighttime house calls to administer pain shots. Diana remembers him as kind and gentle, short, fat, ruddy-faced, and mustached. She says she thinks he lost his license for performing illegal abortions; this is presented as an uncertain recollection. Occupation also recorded as “Doctor” (Dee's Chapter). Performed the children's tonsil removals and made house calls. Remembered as having dark brown hair, being around forty years old, and good looking. The narrator reports that his unnamed wife was addicted to drugs, was caught stealing drugs from his office, and was arrested and imprisoned. He quit his practice shortly afterward. Mom considered him a very good doctor. Occupation also recorded as “Doctor” (Carol's Chapter). The first family doctor Carol remembers. According to the passage, he was caught supplying illegal drugs to his unnamed wife and went to jail, causing a scandal.
Timeline
Beginning at age three; progression over four years
Diana's first symptoms and progressive leg illness
Her mother reported unexplained falls at age three. Discoloration subsequently spread from the left ankle toward the thigh, with skin hardening, loss of connective tissue, restricted movement, and pain.
Diana's ChapterChildhood
Referral and repeated hospital stays in Chicago
Dr. Menton referred Diana to outpatient clinics, followed by several hospitalizations. She is unsure of their number and duration; the longest lasted several months to a year.
Diana's ChapterOne day
Children's same-day tonsil removals
The children went to the hospital together and had their tonsils removed by Dr. Menton, one by one, without needing to be sick.
Dee's Chaptershortly after his wife's imprisonment
Dr. Menton quits his practice
The narrator reports that Dr. Menton quit his practice shortly after his wife was imprisoned following drug theft from his office.
Dee's Chapterdate not given
Dr. Menton goes to jail
The passage states that Dr. Menton caused a scandal when he was caught supplying illegal drugs to his wife and went to jail.
Carol's Chapter
Stories mentioning Dr.
- Early Morning Journeys and Friendship in the HospitalDiana traces the unexplained falls and progressive skin and leg changes that led Dr. Menton to refer her to Illinois Research Hospital in Chicago. Early morning family drives combined the comforting smell of coffee and cheese sandwiches with the fear of examinations and long waits. As illness interrupted school, Mrs. Lynch tutored her at home. Repeated hospital stays brought painful procedures and treatments, but also friendship with Loopy Gonzalez, hallway races, water-balloon mischief, Friday hamburgers, parties, special dresses, chapel services, and visits from family and friends. She also remembers homemade food and a church-donated basket from which she could open one present each day.
- School Vaccines and Memories of Dr. MentonThe narrator recalls lining up in the junior high gymnasium for an oral polio vaccine and comparing smallpox vaccination scars with friends before school. The children all went to the hospital on the same day to have their tonsils removed by Dr. Menton, whether or not they were sick. He also made house calls. She recalls a scandal involving his wife's drug theft, arrest, and imprisonment, followed shortly by his departure from practice. Mom was upset to lose a doctor she valued.
- Clean Sheets, Warm Flannel, and a Family DoctorCarol recalls doctors making house calls in the Forties. However sick the children were, Mom had them leave their beds so she could put on clean sheets before the doctor arrived. Mom also treated colds with Vicks and warm flannel cloths. Carol remembers Dr. Menton as their first doctor; he went to jail after being caught supplying illegal drugs to his wife. His successor, George Cook, provided medicine expecting more children to fall ill, visited frequently, and became a lasting family friend.
Referenced in
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