
The story revolves around a young doctor who contracts measles while treating patients and becomes increasingly isolated from society due to his illness. As he struggles with the physical and emotional toll of the disease, he reflects on his life choices and relationships. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, mortality, and the human condition.
By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Drama, Social Commentary · 4 chapters · 11,003 words
It was before dinner and Dr. Iliashenko had just finished bathing with a student named Voskresenski. The warm, southeast wind had whipped the sea into eddies. Close to the shore, the water was murky and had a sharp smell of fish and sea-plants. The hot, swinging waves did not cool and refresh one's body, but on the contrary, fatigued and unnerved it still more.
"Come on out, my colleague," the doctor exclaimed as he splashed a handful of water over his own large white stomach. "We shall get faint if we go on bathing like this."
Measles is listed on Textopian as a short story by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1908 CE.
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Medical Fiction · Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Social Commentary · Realism · Psychological Insight · Morality Tale · Childhood Trauma · Family Dynamics · Societal Critique · Class Struggle · Poverty