After Vera Ivanovna <Gryazneva>'s departure the free doctors' attitude to patients revolted me more and more day by day. Sclerotic Ramoli Pulyaevsky became responsible for the injured and he, instead of elongation, cased a broken shoulder in plaster and too tight one. I immediately sounded the alarm but all of them were afraid of him and by Monday there was gangrene, of two fingers so far. They decided to amputate, and the lad gave his consent to the amputation of two fingers. Unfortunately Glebova, also free, said, «I've never seen brachiotomy.» And Kuznetsov said with a gallant smile, «I will give you an opportunity not only to see, but to do it!»
I was giving anesthesia. When I saw what they were going to do I stopped anesthesia and said, «He gave his consent to the amputation of two fingers. This is the right arm and he is so young!» Kuznetsov called for another anesthetist and Glebova could make brachiotomy.» That suited Kuznetsov also because the broken shoulder on elongation takes about two months whereas with an amputation they remove sutures and discharge to camp after eight days: «a good figure of bed days»!
Suddenly, when the arm was already in the bowl, a paramedic appeared on the threshold shouting, «The chief of Norilsk camps Voronin has just come! He is going here with Elizaveta Ivanovna!»
Goodness! What happened with Kuznetsov! He, assisting to Glebova, rushed to the bowl, snatched the arm from it, grabbed a sterile sheet covered appliance, wrapped the arm and started rushing around the dressing room in search for a place to hide it. At last he plunked in the box of plaster raising a cloud of dust. Olga, my new aide, also from mine #13, looked at him in horror clutching hands to her mouth. I have already realized that Kuznetsov would never forgive anyone who him in that shameful terror...