4.25. Visit to a doctor

The problem of health always worried people. It has been in the center of attention of the scientists since ancient times. Perhaps, of all unpleasant things people hate diseases most of all. In theory we know well what we should do to be healthy, but in practice there is hardly a man who has no problems with his health. Sometimes people, who are very busy aren't thoughtful enough about their health. Of course, much has been done to put an end to a great number of diseases and epidemics. The scientists have already found cures for many diseases, afflicting people. But still we are suffering from many of them. One of the diseases which disappeared at all is a smallpox. It's a terrible virus disease. First we can read about it in ancient Egyptians manuscripts, which were written nearly 6000 years ago, in ancient documents of China and India. Abu Ali Ebu Sina was the first man who gave detail description of smallpox. Nobody knows the exact time of it's appearing in Europe. There were great epidemics in Italy, France and in a lot of others. In the 17-18 centuries in Europe every year 10 million died. In the 16 century smallpox came to American continent with Spanish colonists and caused terrible epidemics among the Indians. Later this disease came to Australia. Smallpox killed a lot people and Edward Jenner invented vaccination from it. It was a very great invention – the first vaccination in the world. I must say, that I seldom fall ill. I go in for sports, try to spend a couple of hours in the open air every day and do all that kinds of things in order to keep fit.

But, unfortunately, I fell ill in winter. It was rather cold outside and I probably caught the infection. When I came home I felt that I had a sore-throat. I made hot tea with honey, but it didn't help. At last I decided to go to the doctor. I went there with my friend, for I felt very bad indeed. When we came, a doctor, a kind-hearted middle-aged woman in a white gown, offered me to sit down and asked me what I complained of. I had a terrible headache and sore throat and it ached me to swallow. Besides, I was constantly sneezing and coughing. It turned out that I was running a high temperature.

The doctor examined my throat, sounded my heart and lungs, had my blood pressure tested. She said it was flu and prescribed some pills and mixture - I had to take medicine 3 times a day before meals and to stay in bed for a week until full recovery. The recovery was slow. I slept badly, had no appetite. I suffered from a slight, but irritating cough which as a rule became worse at night. I followed all the doctor's instructions and in a week I was cured. It was a real pleasure to fell strong and healthy again. Really, all is well, that ends well.

4.26. WEATHER

The weather is a subject we can always talk about. It often changes arid brings cold and heat, sunshine and rain, frost and snow. One day is often unlike the next.

In summer the sun shines, often there is no wind and there are no clouds in the sky which is blue and beautiful. We can see stars and the moon at night and people like walks, outdoor games and sports in the fresh air.

When autumn comes, the days become shorter and colder. It gets dark earlier and often heavy clouds cover the sky bringing rain with them. Sometimes there is heavy rain, so that an umbrella or a raincoat is necessary if we don't want to get wet through. Then you can hear people say, "What bad weather! When is this rain going to stop?" Many people then catch cold and must go to bed. Then a fire at home is so pleasant.

At last frost and snow come. Fields, forests and houses are covered with snow and rivers and lakes with ice.

But spring again brings sunshine and warm winds. Sometimes it snows but snow will not remain long, it will melt in the warm sun." Spring will bring bright sunshine, green grass and flowers.

We usually say: "A nice day", "Not a bad day" or "It's nice weather for the time of the year" if the weather is fine. We can say: "It looks like rain", "It looks like snow" or "It's bad weather" when the weather is bad.

4.27. WHAT MAKES A PERSON EDUCATED?

Of course we get education at school. The activities of the school day afford different chances for pupil's self-perfection. They provide many opportunities for deeper study and developing our talents. But school lays only the base, the foundation of our education. Here we get only necessary knowledge and after graduating the school we can continue studying in the universities, institutes or somewhere else. Not only school makes us educated persons. Reading books and press is also very important. It enriches our outlook, broadens the boundaries of our intellect, and offers the opportunities to read the latest news and political discussions. TV also gives us wonderful and effective possibilities for education. Due to mass media we become better informed by watching documentaries, science programs and discussions. It is the principal role of after-school activities to deepen our knowledge in different subjects. Besides regular schools there are a lot of clubs, where children get education and good habits. There are different groups, where children can succeed in the field they are particularly interested in. Art clubs, Drama and history clubs and groups, studying foreign languages, are among them. Educational excursions can be also useful in developing the pupil's intellect. Nature hikes help to explore the world around us. To my mind if we want to be successful in our studies we must have the number of positive qualities of character. First of all we have to be attentive at the lessons. Attention always helps to acquire profound knowledge and to understand the material better. To make progress in all subjects we should be hard-working and persistent persons. Strong-willed and industrious people can stand up all difficulties and hardships and they have a purpose in life. So if we want to be well educated, we ought to have all these qualities in ourselves, only in these conditions we can succeed in our studies. I think that all people should be educated, because it is very useful and important. Educated persons are always ready to find a good job, they usually have a bright career. Besides, it is also much better to talk to educated, cultured and extraordinary person. I consider knowledge to be the really great power and that is why we must always increase it.