Confessions of a Psychiatrist: The Swallower

There is an infamous patient in a hospital far away known to most of the staff as the Swallower. Our psychiatrist, Dr. Max, was called into the Swallower's hospital room on what could be considered an almost routine check to speak with the patient and ascertain exactly what they had eaten before coming to the emergency room this time.

It was protocol that the Swallower would have to remain in the hospital until whatever they had consumed was expelled. They had been known to ingest a variety of things (usually cutlery), but on this particular occasion they had swallowed a watch.

On his rounds after visiting the Swallower's hospital room, Dr Max turned to a resident on his right hand and casually asked, 'Why does this patient have to remain in the hospital?'

The resident paused while their brain flooded with possibilities, and the anxiety of being put on the spot took over, as it seemed doctors, students and nurses stared. He stammered.

Dr Max answered his own question, 'They are just passing time.'