The final stanza of Vysotsky's song "Oshibka Vyshla"

[Sentinel76 Astrakhan]

Dear all,

I am translating one of my favorite Vysotsky's songs, "Ошибка Вышла" (which I call "A Grand Mistake").  I am overall pretty happy with the result, but I am literally torn between the two versions of the final stanza.  The song talks about a man who is arrested, jailed, and tortured, but does not surrender and refuses to sign the interrogation notes / confession until he reads it.  In the final verse, however, it is revealed that he is, in fact, not in prison, but in a hospital (possibly famous Sklif, inspired by Vysotsky's own frequent trips there).  The "confession" that he refuses to sign is, in fact, his medical record.

Он молвил, подведя черту:  "Читай мол и остынь!"
Я впился в писанину ту, а там одна латынь!
В глазах круги, в мозгу нули... Проклятый страх, исчезни!
Они ведь просто завели историю болезни.

I believe that the final stanza must be made crystal clear.  This O'Henri / Shamalayan Night (sp?)-like twist at the end is hard enough to understand even for some Russians, and I can see how it can be even more difficult for English-speakers.  But at the same time the poetry level and Vysotsky's trademark intensity must be preserved as well.  So here are my two version.  
1.  
He spoke, "Just go ahead and read.  Cool off a bit, you cretin!"
I latched onto the scribbled sheet, but it was all in Latin!
My fear was gone, my empty skull was spinning off my shoulders:
Not criminal, but medical were the records in the folder.
2.  
He spoke, "Just go ahead and read.  Cool off a bit, you clown!"
I latched onto the scribbled sheet, and then my brain shut down.
The fear vanished from my heart.  The truth lay undisputed:
It was a doctor's chart in an intensive care unit.

Some things to consider:  (a) Do doctors use Latin in medical charts?  I was given conflicting information by people. (2) Which version is clearer?  All help is appreciated!

Vadim (www.vvinenglish.com)
 		 	   		   		 	   		  
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