The narrator is profoundly aware of what the medical professionals appear to have become inured to: that aspects of medical study and medical practice are completely outside the range of day to day experience and that they are disturbing and even shocking. The poem demonstrates the fine line that may exist between clinical professionalism and human emotional reaction, particularly with regard to sexuality. Readers might wish to compare this poem with Richard Selzer's short story A Blue Ribbon Affair, annotated in this database.