Nonsense! Then where is your cyanosis?
[He proceeds to lift LUCIA'S head and pour some of the brandy into her mouth]
PISO
Stop! I forbid it!
[During this rapid dialogue the three other wives flutter about, and HELIOGABALUS and PAULA crowd close to the bed]
POLORUS
[Continuing with the brandy] I stand on my Hippocratic oath. I insist on the brandy.
PISO
I appeal to your decency. Don't kill the patient. [PAULA screams again] Let me feel her pulse.