Character Analysis
This guy only appears in the story for a few paragraphs but he gets a lot to do. For starters, he presumably cures the Boy of scarlet fever (nice job, Doc.). Then he orders the Velveteen Rabbit's death by fire:
"How about his old Bunny?" [Nana] asked.
"That?" said the doctor. "Why, it's a mass of scarlet fever germs!—Burn it at once. What? Nonsense! Get him a new one. He mustn't have that any more!" (59-60)
Yikes.
The doctor's command to burn everything the Boy has come in contact while he's sick was actually very common back in the early 1920s. Scarlet fever was no joke, so doctors figured it was better safe than sorry when it came to contaminated toys. Sure they might look fun…but you wouldn't want them spreading germs around the rest of the house, now would you?
Today, we'd probably just soak the Velveteen Rabbit in some bleach or run him through the washer on the hot cycle but, back then, doctors figured fire was the best solution. Adios, little bunny.