James V. Ferguson 
‘Well…What Did the Doctor Say?’ 
Stories From the Bedside

A collection of essays from my Knoxville Focus newspaper column, ‘The Doctor Is In.’ I write for joy rather than an assignment, because my real job is practicing internal medicine and geriatrics. These essays were often prompted by patients’ stories shared with me over forty years of medical care. The essays are in no particular order. I’ve tried to mix humorous stories with others focused on science, medicine, history, philosophy, spirituality, art, travel, and yes, some politics. Each essay can be read in five minutes, just long enough for one sitting — however, two stories might occasionally be necessary. And if you find that three are required, you might need to consult your doctor! I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I did crafting them.