Chapters 14 & 15 Summary and Analysis

These two brief chapters deal with two aspects of hospital life. One aspect of hospital life involves a procedure known as checks. During checks, nurses check on patients by opening doors and quickly inspecting the room. Patients are placed on checks at certain intervals and are thus checked every five minutes, every fifteen minutes, or every half-hour. Checks are carried out around the clock. Kaysen reports that although irritating at first, checks eventually become synonymous with a pulse or metronome.

Within the hospital any item that is hard and sharp enough to cause injury is confiscated. Enumerated items are nail scissors, nail files, safety razors, penknives, pins and earrings. All eating utensils are plastic or cardboard. When Kaysen shaves her legs a nurse sits next to her and watches the procedure.