As you may remember, my Dad was a physician, so I have grown up knowing many doctors, and for some reason, something today reminded me of an incident that happened to Doctor Houston, who was one of the more respected brain surgeons in the country.
I recall one incident he related to my Dad at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, and I happened to overhear most of the story.
After a great deal of consultation with other staff members, they came up with what they felt was the appropriate procedure. Harry went out to talk with the family.
"I'm afraid I am the bearer of bad news," Harry said as he surveyed the worried faces, "The only hope left for Peck at this time is a brain transplant. It's an experimental procedure, semi-risky, and you will have to pay for the brain yourselves, it will not be covered my Medicare."
The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a length of time, someone asked Dr. Houston, "How much does a brain cost?"
Harry responded, "$5000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain, and it appears that either one would be acceptable, you'll have to decide."
To say the least, the moment turned a little awkward. Even with their concern for Peck, the men in the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye contact with the women, but some actually smirked. Peck's brother Earl, unable to control his curiosity, asked Dr. Houston the obvious question. "Why is the male brain so much more?"
Harry, professionally, told the relatives, "It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of the female brains, because they've been used."
