- Contributed by
- John_S_M
- People in story:
- Dr EW Malcomson
- Article ID:
- A1954992
- Contributed on:
- 03 November 2003
During the war my father was doctor in rural Herefordshire.
One morning during surgery he received a telephone call from a pig farmer patient, who asked him to call as soon as surgery was finished. Concerned at the possibility of an emergency, my father suggested he come straight away. The patient said no, but he should come as soon as morning surgery was finished, then added it was not a medical matter.
My father did as he had been asked, and arrived at the patient’s small farm.
“I’ve got a bit of a problem doctor,” the man said. “I had a licence to slaughter a pig, but we had a bit of an accident, and somehow two pigs died.”
My father knew only too well the farmer had done what was known as slaughtering two pigs on one squeal.
The man continued, “ My brother-in-law is a special constable, and he telephoned to say they were on their way to inspect our premises, so I’ve got to get the second carcass away from here. Pop it in your car and get rid of it.”
“How much do you want for it?” my father asked.
“Nothing. Just get it off the premises before the police turn up.”
The two of them heaved it into the boot of the Alvis, and as my father drove up the lane the police were on their way down.
My father made only his planned house calls, but after seeing each patient, he asked the relatives, “Would you like some pig?”
The answer was invariably “Yes,” followed by, “How much do you want for it?”
“Pay what you think it’s worth,” my father would say.
After the end of his morning round, my father arrived home with less than a quarter of the carcass.
Next time he was in the vicinity, my father dropped in on the pig farmer and handed him the bundle of cash he had received for the pig.
The farmer was very surprised to receive anything, then looked at what he had got.
“Good god, doctor,” he exclaimed. “That’s a lot more than I could have got. Fancy going into business with me?”
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