White coats are commonly worn by doctors, but there is another type of clothing typically found in hospitals. This plain-looking clothing is known as scrubs. Scrubs are made up of a loose-fitting top and comfortable pants with an elastic waistband. They were originally designed to protect wearers from patients’ body fluids or infectious substances in an operating room. The name “scrubs” comes from the fact that surgeons and nurses scrub their hands before surgery. Today, scrubs are worn by many hospital personnel.
In contrast to doctors’ white coats, scrubs come in various colors. Several decades ago, surgeons wore white scrubs to emphasize cleanliness. However, this color intensified the brightness of the lights in the operating room. Thus, the color was changed to green, which allows surgeons to see the red color of blood clearly and reduce eye fatigue. In many operating rooms, it is required that all personnel wear scrubs for safety reasons. Normally, surgical scrubs are owned or leased by hospitals to ensure sterility.
Other colors of scrubs are also common in hospitals. As blue is associated with calm emotions, it is worn by nurses or other healthcare workers who provide direct care for patients. Nurses who serve children or pregnant women tend to wear lighter-colored scrubs such as pink, which are considered warm and harmonious. Dental assistants and staff at private healthcare centers often wear white scrubs to show their professionalism. While there are no set rules for the colors of scrubs, they may potentially influence patients’ emotions.
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醫師通常穿白袍，但在醫院內還經常可以看到另一種服裝。這種看起來樸素的服裝被稱為刷手服。刷手服是由寬鬆的上衣和舒適、有鬆緊帶的長褲組成。起初，刷手服的設計是要保護穿著者在手術室內不會接觸到病患的體液或傳染性物質。scrubs這個字的由來是外科醫師和護理師在手術前會刷洗（scrub）他們的雙手。如今，許多醫事人員都會穿刷手服。
相對於醫師的白袍，刷手服有各種顏色。數十年前，外科醫師穿白色的刷手服以強調乾淨。但是這個顏色會增強手術室內的光線亮度。因此，刷手服的顏色變成綠色，這讓外科醫師得以看清血的顏色，也能降低眼睛疲勞。在許多手術室中，所有人員都因為安全而被要求穿著刷手服。一般來說，手術用的刷手服是醫院所有或要跟醫院租借以確保無菌。
其他顏色的刷手服在醫院裡也很常見。因為藍色和平靜的情緒有關聯，提供病患直接照護的護理師或其他醫療照護工作者會穿著藍色。照護小孩或孕婦的護理師往往會穿如粉紅色等較淺色的刷手服，這些顏色的刷手服被認為是溫暖且和諧的。牙醫助理和私人醫療中心的員工常穿白色的刷手服來展現自身的專業。雖然刷手服的顏色沒有固定的規則，但其顏色可能會對病患的情緒有潛在影響。
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Word in Use
1. loose a.（衣服）寬鬆的
Tanya’s old pants have become loose now.
譚雅的舊褲子現在都變鬆了。
2. substance n. 物質
Some cleaning products contain substances that can be harmful to the skin.
有些清潔產品含有對皮膚有害的物質。
3. scrub vt. 刷洗，擦洗
I spent hours scrubbing the toilet, and it now looks clean and shiny.
我花了數小時刷洗馬桶，它現在看起來清潔溜溜。
4. surgery n. 外科手術（不可數）
surgical a. 外科手術用的
After years of chronic pain, my grandfather decided to undergo knee surgery.
多年的慢性疼痛後，我爺爺決定要動膝蓋手術。
Advanced surgical technologies enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the procedure.
先進的手術科技增進了手術的精確性和效率。
5. intensify vt. 增強，加強
My trainer recommended I intensify my exercise routine.
我的教練建議我增強日常的鍛鍊。
Practical Phrases
1. be made up of...（整體）由……（部分）組成∕構成
The installation is made up of colorful glasses.
這個裝置藝術由彩色玻璃組成。
2. protect A from B 保護 A 免於 B
Wearing a helmet while you are cycling can protect your head from potential injuries.
騎腳踏車時戴安全帽能保護你的頭部免於潛在的傷害。
3. In contrast to..., 與……對比之下，……
In contrast to Rita’s lifestyle, mine seems rather dull.
與瑞塔的生活方式對比之下，我的生活顯得相當無趣。
4. come in... 有……（各種顏色、大小等）
Since the ice cream offered at the shop comes in many flavors, all customers can be satisfied.
該店有多種口味的冰淇淋，所以可以滿足所有消費者。
5. be associated with... 和……有關聯
High levels of stress are often associated with an increased risk of health problems.
壓力大常與健康問題的高風險有關聯。
What Did You Learn?
1. What can we learn about the doctor’s coat from the Day 1 passage?（多選題）
(A) Only doctors could wear this kind of clothing in the past.
(B) Its color has remained the same since a change in the late 1800s.
(C) The white coat is now an accessory that makes doctors recognizable.
(D) Its color used to be the same as scientists’ clothing but is now different.
(E) The white coat is primarily worn for its ability to prevent contamination.
(F) The color of the doctor’s coat was changed to white to make it less threatening to patients.
2. Which word in the passage means “required by a law or rule”?
3. What is the original purpose of wearing scrubs?（簡答）
參考答案
1. B / C
2. mandatory / Mandatory.
3. protect wearers from patients’ body fluids or infectious substances in an operating room
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