There was a lecture given at a medical school on a spinal cord operation. The professor began:
在一所醫(yī)學(xué)院舉行了一場關(guān)于脊髓手術(shù)的講座。教授開始講道:
"In order to have a speedy but safe operation, one must speculate on the entire spectrum of possible problems. As you can see," pointing to the open cadaver, "this section of the spine is located near the spleen. It is necessary to use this spherical instrument to avoid contact between them. If any spiny spinal fragments disturb the spleen during the operation, the spleen may split open and the patient may begin to spew." The professor placed the sphere like object into the cadaver and continued. "Now, I shall take out the spiny fragments with this spindly little instrument." The professor held a long, thin instrument in his hands. He put it spinning into the cadaver. As he applied the instrument, little spiral shavings of spinal bone spilled out from the cadaver. The professor said, "Splendid. The spiny fragments have been removed, and all that is left is the clean-up and close. I am quite pleased with this procedure. The splendor of it is its simplicity. All that we must do is consider which problems from the entire spectra of problems that may arise. Such as that of the spleen."
“為了手術(shù)進(jìn)行得迅速而且安全,必須考慮一整系列可能出現(xiàn)的問題。大家可以看到,”教授指向切開的尸體,“這部分脊椎距離脾臟近。有必要使用這個球形工具以避免和脾臟之間的接觸。如果在手術(shù)當(dāng)中任何刺狀的脊椎碎片攪動了脾臟,脾臟可能裂開,病人就可能開始嘔吐。”教授把這個球形物體放入尸體,繼續(xù)說道:“現(xiàn)在,我要用這個紡錘狀的小工具取出刺狀的碎片。”教授雙手握住一個又長又細(xì)的工具。他把它旋轉(zhuǎn)著放入尸體。當(dāng)他使用工具時,螺旋形的脊椎骨碎屑從尸體中飛濺出來。教授說:“太好了。刺狀的碎屑已清除,余下的工作就是清理、縫合。我對這個過程相當(dāng)滿意。這個過程了不起之處在于它的簡便可行。我們必須做的就是考慮一整系列問題中哪些問題可能會出現(xiàn),比如說脾臟的問題。”
The professor, quite happy with himself, felt a spiritual uplifting as he descended the platform. He said to his assistant, "Be sure to splash some preservative on the cadaver with a sponge so as to avoid spoilage. We certainly don't want him to spoil."
教授洋洋自得,走下講臺時,感到一種精神上的升華。他對助手說:“一定要用海綿在尸體上灑些防腐劑來防止尸體腐爛。我們當(dāng)然不希望尸體腐爛。”
n. 脾,脾氣,怒氣
spiral['spai?r?l]n. 旋渦,螺旋形之物
adj. 螺旋形的,盤
vt. 推測,好奇
vi. 深思,投機(jī)
n. 脊柱,脊椎,書脊,尖刺
preservative[pri'z?:v?tiv]adj. 保存的,有保存力的,防腐的 n. 防腐劑,預(yù)防
spoilage['sp?ilid?]n. 掠奪,糟蹋,弄壞或變成無用之物
instrument['instrum?nt]n. 樂器,工具,儀器,器械
spoil[sp?il]n. 戰(zhàn)利品,獎品
v. 寵壞,溺愛,破壞,腐
n. 程序,手續(xù),步驟; 常規(guī)的做法
splendor['splend?]n. 光輝,壯麗,顯赫