By Land and By Air

said, “I better ask you about that patient you were asked to examine today.” I said, I could not find anything wrong with her - ”What do you mean? My information is that she had acute pneumonia.” I said, I examined her chest; it was clear ( the nurse told me she was discharged that day). He shook his head and said, ”We can’t both be right." I said she was very sick when I brought her in two weeks ago by ambulance from Africville. He said ”You old bugger" and then he began explaining the complications of post- pneumonia. When I went to be interviewed by the former Dean, who used to tell me stories when we met at evening rounds, his first and only question was “What are the complications of pneumonia.” Was it luck or a planned question?

The last exam I was worrying about, as it was Public Health. Many failed this exam and had to repeat it the next year in order to get their permanent license. It reminded me of that last trap gate to freedom. When I met him at the door, no doubt, my knees were knocking. His question was ”Do you know your stuff?” I, shaking, said, ”I hope I do.” ”Well,” he said, ”if you know it, I am late for my plane, so good luck and goodbye,” and we shook hands. Thus was the finish of my studies - what a load off my shoulders.

The boys whooped it up that night. It reminded me of the big times we used to have when a crew finished its tour of operations.

My mother-in—law came to Halifax to look after the children, to allow my wife to attend the social closing of Class ’48, but the boys the night before had broken up some chairs. In the morning they threatened to cancel, but later in the day, decided to fine us all $5.00 and hold the get-together. I was the first to go up and pay my last $5.00, because I slept down there and knew who made

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