Catoctin clarion., 1917-11-22
My Second Med
ical Examination
By ALAN HINSDALE
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspap

received my degree of M. d. on the
25th of June and on th4 26th started
for a town in the West, intending be-
fore settling down to practice to put
In a couple of months recreation. I
fell in with party of tourists, one Of
them being Miss Julia McGrcgor.
When she discovered that | was Il saw
bones, there arose bond of sympa-
thy between us, for she was daugh-
ter of one of the most eminent sur
geons in America, and a lecturer in Il
medical college.
Prcferring the company of these
people. especially Miss McGregor, to
travelling alone, clung to them. Where
they went | went We visited the Iel-
lowstone park and other regions of In
terest and when my outing was ended
I pronounced it the most delightful l
had ever experienced.
And we'll l might, for / had been
falling in love with Miss McGregor,
and she had reciprocated.
1t was the middle Of September
when, having been referred by her to
her father, went to ask him for the
hand of his daughter. She rounded
up her outing by visit to friends in
Chicago, but had written her father
that I would Gull upon him at the fam
lily home, which was in a suburban
town near the city of Philadelphia.
Having boarded the train that was
Aa t,J, 70 titsa ion hn
being nearly filled, l took a seat by an
elderly gentleman who was reading
his evening newspaper. But he laid it
on his lap soon after the train started
and gazed out of the window. ! adj
dressed him, asking him how far my
station was from the city. He In
formed me very courteouSly, and told
me he lived there. Then I told him |
was going to call upon Doctor Mo
Gregor and asked him how I could
find the doctors residence. He told
me he knew Doctor MacGregor very
well and gave me the necessary direc-
tiOns.
While converslng with the gentle
man l told him that l was q newly
made NJ. D. | said thought that
had nn advantage over older doctors
in that had learned the latest discov.
cries in medicine.
Ny auditor listened to me attentive
ly, occasionally asking me my opinion
as to the merits of antitoxinS for va.
rious diseases that were well known
TO the laylty and l answered him in
such language as would be understood
by layman, carefully avoiding medi-
cal terms. Whenever | was obliged to
use scientific nomenclature he did not
ask me to define the word used, nor
did he at any time show want of
comprehension.
Before our journey was half ended
he had asked me number of these
questions that could not answer, and
finally said that he did not see from
my replies that the doctors just grad
uated knew any more than those who
had been long In practice, and he did
not think that doctors knew much,
anyway, whether young or old. I was
angered at this and retorted that
whether or no doctors We're ignorant
of their profession, they knew more
than the laity. "Do you look upon
your fellow citizen. Doctor MacGregor,
as an ignoramus" I added.
'What he knows" was the reply,
'1s as a grain Of sand to a whole sea-
coast to what he doesn't know"
At this point the trainman called our
station and we left the car together.
The gentleman cooled my wrath by in
viting me to ride with him in his mo-
torcar to the home of my fatherin-law
In prospect, and I accepted his invi-
tation We entered a beautiful car
which was in waiting, and were driven
away by a uniformed chauffeur. My
companion telling him to stop at
certain house by the way. On reach
ing this house, the former pointed to
Il handsome place not far distant as
Doctor MacGregors, saying the doctor
usually came up on the train we had
Travelled on and If he was not at home
he would be very soon.
The maid who answered my sum-
mons at Doctor MacGregor's said that
she expected the doctor very soon and
/ sat down to wait for him. In II few
minutes who should enter the room
but my companion on my trip from
the city.
I was staggered. Why should he be
there? He approached me with an
amused but kindly smile, saying:
"Well, my boy, I'm sorry to have an
gered you, but 1t is the only revenge l
could intlict upon man who Is about
to rob me Of the greatest treasure l
possess"
"You-you are Doctor MacGregor"
gasped.
II am. took Oc easion, incognitO. to
draw you out or various subjects.
Now you may put your best foot for
ward, and make yourself appear the
marvel my daughter has described
your
"Heaveps !" exclaimed. II thought
l had passed my medical examination
last June. l didn't know that l was
under the rack when you were ques-
tioning me-"
"You doubtless acquitted yourself
better this afternoon than on graduat-
ing, not knowing yea were being exam
ined."
The doctor and dined together. and
when I departed had his consent to
an engagement With his daughter.
Since then | have become convinced
that what doctors know Is "as grain