I’m thinking my younger brother did something like that to his hand about 35 years ago. Of course, getting it cleaned, stitched and dressed didn’t cost a thing, but I suppose the cost of socialised medicine was that a young resident did the cleaning and stitching (under the supervision of an ER internist, of course).
The resident must have been really talented, though:
My brother, while being stitched: Will I be able to play the piano?
Resident: I don’t see any reason why not.
My brother: Excellent! I never could before!
I gather that the internist, once he got over his coughing fit, threatened my brother with bodily harm if he said anything more… The dangers of socialised medicine, you know.
