Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for July 26, 1998

Transcript:

Jeremy: Poor lady...she looks so miserable. I better talk to the doctor. You know, doctor, I think Miss Davenport is still in a lot of pain... Doctor: I know. I wish there was more I could do... Jeremy: Can't you just increase her morphine dose? Doctor: Nope. Your dear friend has the misfortune of dying after 1914, which was the last time physicians had full discretion in prescribing narcotics... If I were to increase her dose, I could lose my license. According to the nation's drug warriors, alleviating the suffering of the dying "sends the wrong message." It's the main reason why up to 40% of cancer patients in nursing homes are in daily pain. Jeremy: Oh. Do the baby boomers know about this yet? Doctor: They will.