Garrison Fields

Chapter 7 - The Doctor attends

If there was one thing that gave Dr. Broad satisfaction, it was a cash customer. One that paid promptly, this is why his surgery was located within walking distance to the middle-class areas of the town and also very conveniently placed for a farthing (quarter penny) trip on the tram.

Observing a lady arriving on the tram was an assured way of gaining an immediate appointment with the doctor. It was well known fact that a lady on a tram would have her return fair, plus a shilling for the doctor's consultation and another sixpence for the pharmacist.

Indeed, such a lot could be taken for granted in the mode of arrival. Strange as it might sound in these days of grand philanthropic gestures, his assistants were positively encouraged to discourage; both the working and upper classes. The Working classes were therefore informed of the doctor's charges before consultation.

It was as easy as selecting off of a menu, with each initial and follow up procedure priced. Everything from a death certificate - which was usually the only time the patient saw the doctor - to childbirth. Each was carefully itemised: childbirth with midwife, childbirth with midwife and registrar, childbirth with midwife and senior partner. Both the patients and the doctor's success rested on how much you could pay.

As for the upper classes and aristocracy, everything was on account. Usually, on account of the fact that they had no money. Dr. Broad often mused on the fact that if he had to choose between the working and upper classes, he imagined his preference would be for the working class. A much more honest situation, they didn't whine as much when you told them the bad news. The upper classes seemed to think the world owed them something for nothing. It was in such a frame of mind that Dr. Broad was rested from his thoughts by the knock on his surgery door.

'Yes,' he proclaimed in his most positive voice. After all this was his dominion why be shy. The door opened and Mrs Jenkins entered. A tall straight-backed woman with a waspish figure and a face to match. She was dark haired and brown eyed always with pursed lips, as if each word had to fight to be let out.

Mrs Jenkins managed the daily running of the office, as well as overseeing the reception. Her morning routine never fluctuated. As soon as surgery had finished, she would take all pertinent records in regard to today's surgery, plus the list of house calls to be made into Dr. Broad's office.

There she occupied her exalted position at a small mahogany table situated at a right angle to Dr. Broad's impressive desk; which greeted all to his dominion. She laid out the patient records and her lists. It was only now that she spoke, nodding in deference to him.

'Good morning Dr Broad, I have instructed Jennifer to bring tea into your consulting room for all the doctors' this morning and arrange for the boy to prepare your car. There are several house visits to be made and some of the younger partners surgeries have overrun by several minutes! A suitable pause was left at this juncture to enable his awareness of the situation before she continued.

'I leave this point to your attention Dr. Broad.'

'Excellent Mrs Jenkins.' Dr. Broad beamed, there were two things here which instantly gratified him; the first was, "his attention" being sought for anything and the next was the knowledge that he had a number of house visits. His trips always now included the use of his auto-mobile, a French DeDion which had been recommended to him due to its ease of operation and reliability. The boy was in reference to George, the housekeeper's ten-year-old son. It was his job to accompany Dr. Broad on his rounds and ensure that the car was not stolen or tampered with while Dr Broad, was treating the patients.

Indeed, in some parts of the town, it would be vandalised for its ostentatious show of wealth that it betrayed and of course - wherever it was parked - it would always attract a crowd of onlookers. The adults would observe from a distance, while the children would always want to touch it, such was the rareness of an auto-mobile on the streets.