The Humpty
Dumpty Problem
by George A. Renn
Literary
history notes Humpty Dumpty, never directly
identified in words to be egg (only drawn as one),
that following his fall neither all the King’s
horses or all the royal gentry could mend him.
For correct official identification and report
clarification, exactly of what lineage or species
did Dumpty belong? In retrospect, could his
broken status enable him to be restored with more
modern repair and rejuvenation techniques?
It is
difficult to imagine a horse in any way medically
qualified or surgically able to assist in Dumpty’s
reconstruction. Why this is noted at all is not
clear, but remains an obscure but interesting
mention in medical/veterinary history.
In the 17th century
’humpty-dumpty’ was an intoxicating
brandy-and-ale mixture capable of misleading and
upsetting both the general user and those
uninitiated to potent spirits. Continuing to the18th
century, humpty-dumpty was descriptive slang for
an individual of reduced physical stature and
awkward motion. Such background suggests strong
association with over indulgence, and resultant
unevenness and falling.
No known
official or anecdotal reports clarify the
deceleration from on high to be an event
resulting from diminished personal responsibility,
or a malicious push from unknown sources. The
height of the fall, the state of the landing area
(stone? soil?), weather conditions, and time of
day would benefit from details.
Who exactly
was Dumpty to be a select recipient of the king’s
men ministrations? Why was his recovery of
special importance to warrant the dispatch of
royal representatives, and did he insurance cover
the event? How critical was his recovery and were
the king’s men emergency medical technicians,
general practice doctors, board-certified
specialists, or immediately on-scene factotums? Did
the heirs of Dumpty sue because he died under
unknown circumstances?
It is of
ongoing interest how influential in life, finance,
politics, or academics his accomplishments
entitled him to appear in a book and become an
icon.
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