when i first started working at this medical library i was heartily disturbed when i would pass by books with graphic images on the covers. if the book is about a particular technique – let’s use open heart surgery for example – there will often be a picture of it on the cover. intellectually i know that this is what medicine is about, but it’s still quite something else to be presented with the very real, very photographic visuals.
to combat my visceral reaction my mantra has been, “don’t look at the pictures, just look at the text.” but just like those awful “family circus” comics, my eye is drawn to the images whether i want to look at them or not. a curious thing is happening as a result; i am beginning to feel less repulsion and more curiosity as i spend more time around these books. i still have a long way to go with the dental books that come in, however. check back with me later to see how i’m progressing.
