Another call from the police, another assault in the street that was somewhat unusual as it was given as an injury sustained in the course of a mugging. Despite what the media would have you think I would suspect that the fear of mugging is much worse than the actual rates of muggings.
I base this on no evidence apart from the distinct lack of assault calls that I go to where mugging is a motive.
We arrived to find the police already there and a young man sitting, somewhat battered, by the side of the road. Cuts and bruises from a couple of punches to the face, nothing too serious, but painful nontheless.
What made us smile was that this was the mugger, not the victim.
In broad daylight this scumbag decided to steal a woman's handbag. He'd grabbed it and started running down the busy street.
What he didn't reckon on was a bit of 'community policing' and someone gave chase, punched him in the face a couple of times and disappeared before the police arrived.
Not a serious injury, but our 'victim' was left whinging about the pain while we, and the police, contemplated the mugger's bad luck. He'd need some stiches to his face, but was otherwise not seriously hurt.
Obviously I treated him clinically as I would any other patient, but perhaps without the same 'bedside manner' as I would give to, say, a little old lady who'd spent a few hours on her bedroom floor.
The police officer and I discussed how much of the money that I pay as taxes would go towards this person's treatment.
I don't think (and hope) that the police will look too hard for the person that stopped this thief.
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Monday's question - In your own work, or day to day life, what events give you joy? Obviously the above story made me happy for the rest of the day, but I also like going to patients that say 'Thank you' at the end of their time with us. I also like transfers to the country, where there is green stuff, trees and the like. I'd think that even if I worked in an office there would still be something that would make my day, so, what is yours?
