Study Guide

Cutting for Stone Chapter 15: Crookedness of the Serpent

By Abraham Verghese

Chapter 15: Crookedness of the Serpent

Almaz, Ghosh's maid, alerts him that one of the babies has stopped breathing, and he runs to Hema's bungalow, where the babies live.
Shiva has been having trouble breathing while he sleeps. He has to be woken up and reminded to breathe, which is pretty stressful for Hema.
Ghosh devises a plan: he puts bells on the baby's foot to let them know when there's a problem, since the bell will stop moving if Shiva stops breathing.
Hema and Ghosh settle into a little family life as they keep watch over Shiva for several weeks.
Ghosh has to take over almost all medical duties, since both Stone and Hema are out of commission.