Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-01-10
My Second Med
ical Examination
By ALAN HNsDALE

NSopyEonS Ae~ts Woseorn No"bpepeE onAon-b
received my degree of NJ. d. on the
25th Of June and on the 26th started
for town in the West, intending be-
fore settling down to practice to put
In couple of months recreation. I
fell in with party Of tourists, one of
them being Miss Julia McGregor.
When she discovered that I was saw
bones, there arose bond of sympa-
thy between us, for she was a daugh-
ter of one Of the most eminent sur
geons In America, and lecturer In
medical college.
Preferring the company Of these
people, especially Miss McGregor, to
travelling alone, I chung to them. Where
they went went. We visited the yell
lowstone park and other regions Of in
terest and when my outing was ended
I pronounced 1t the most delightful !
had ever experienced.
And well / might, for had been
falling in love with Miss McGregor,
and she had reciprocated.
It was the middle Of September
when, having been referred by her to
her father, I 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 call upon him at the fam
fly home, which was in suburban
town near the city of Philadelphia.
Having boarded the train that was
to take me to my destination, the car
being nearly filed, I took seat by an
elderly gentleman who was reading
his evening newspaper. But he laid 1t
on his lap soon after the train started
and gazed out Of the window. l ad-
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 I
was going to call upon Doctor Nc
Gregor, and asked him how ! could
find the doctors residence. He told
me he knew Doctor MacGregor very
we'll and gave me the necessary direc-
tons. r.
While conversing with the gentle
man I told him that I was a newly
made NJ. d. ! said I thought that I
had an advantage over older doctors
in that I had learned the latest discov-
cries in medicine.
My 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 layity and I answered him In
such language as would be understood
by q 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 q want OF
comprehension.
Before our journey was half ended
he had asked me a number Of these
questions that I 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 were 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
'sis as a grain of sand to whole sea.
coast to what he doesn't know"
At this point the trainman called oul
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 father-in-law
in prospect, and accepted his invi
tation. We entered a beautiful cal
which was in waiting, and were driver
away by a uniformed chauffeur. MY
companion telling him to stop at 6
certain house by the way. On reach
Ing this house, the former pointed t.
a handsome place not far distant al
Doctor MacGregor's, saying the doctor
usually came up on the train we hat
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 tina
she expected the doctor very soon ant
I sat down to wait for him. In few
minutes who should enter the roon
but my companion on my trip from
7 the city.
I was staggered. Why should he b.
there? He approached me with al
amused but kindly smile, saying:
"Well, my boy, I'm sorry to have an
gered you, but it is the only revenge
could infiict upon a man who is abou
to rob me OF the greatest treasure
possess"
"You-you are Doctor MacGregor7
, I gasped.
IT am. I took occasion, incognito, t
draw you out on various subjects
) Now you may put your best foot fol
. ward, and make yourself appear tn
marvel my daughter has describes
you"
"Heavensl" I exclaimed. IT though
I had passed my medical examination
last June. I didn't know that wa
under the rack when you were ques