John can coddle, but Adele, with her concerns for clothing and 'itching', doesn't seem the type to want or appreciate it. She reminds him of the army, where he'd be accused of tickling and scratching the itches of men who were, to say the least, in much worse condition than she. He ignores the sounds she makes, more than likely against her will, as a courtesy. He does check her pulse while he waits for the anesthetic to set in.

"Before you came to Luceti or after, if I might ask?"