Chapters 26-27 Summary

In Chapter 26, Dyomka is done with his surgery, and he is gray. His surgeon looks him over and is encouraging. Dyomka's surgeon, Lev, is rushing off to attend a five minute conference that is held every day by the senior doctor. Lev is looking at the other personnel in the room. Of the five doctors who were receiving pay, only two of them are capable of operating. Next, all of the doctors and the nurses go to the wards for the rounds, all together. The physicians and nurses are not allowed to let the patients know what is really happening to their bodies, so all of the conversations are generalized. Lev believes the purpose of the rounds is to cheer up the patients, so he does that.

On the smoke break, in a private room, the truth is discussed about everyone...