The Best American Essays Chapter Summary & Analysis - The Personal Voice: Merced, The Inheritance of Tools, and Mother Tongue Summary

The Personal Voice: Merced, The Inheritance of Tools, and Mother Tongue Summary and Analysis

Merced by Danielle Ofri: When Ofri was finishing up her residence in preparation for becoming a doctor, she had a patient named Mercedes who was experiencing unusually strong headaches. All of the other doctors were baffled by her condition, but Ofri was sure that it was aseptic meningitis, a non-serious and easily treated condition. She sent her home with some mild medication and patted herself on the back for her medical acumen. For the sake of scientific thoroughness, she sent a vial of Mercedes' spinal fluid to be tested for, among other illnesses, Lyme disease. Ofri was shocked to find Mercedes back the next day, sprawled on the floor in a bout of temporary madness. Ofri was disappointed that her diagnosis had been wrong but was shocked to discover that the Lyme disease test had come back positive. Though Ofri had not really suspected...
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