I think this impression was due in a
great measure to Wigan's entire absence of affectation, and
to his persistent appeal to the 'judicious' but never to the
'groundlings.' Mrs. Alfred Wigan was also a consummate
artiste.
CHAPTER XLII
THROUGH George Bird I made the acquaintance of the leading
surgeons and physicians of the North London Hospital, where I
frequently attended the operations of Erichsen, John
Marshall, and Sir Henry Thompson, following them afterwards
in their clinical rounds. Amongst the physicians, Professor
Sydney Ringer remains one of my oldest friends. Both surgery
and therapeutics interested me deeply. With regard to the
first, curiosity was supplemented by the incidental desire to
overcome the natural repugnance we all feel to the mere sight
of blood.
Chemistry I studied in the laboratory of a professional
friend of Dr. Bird's. After a while my teacher would leave
me to carry out small commissions of a simple character which
had been put into his hands, such as the analysis of water,
bread, or other food-stuffs. He himself often had
engagements elsewhere, and would leave me in possession of
the laboratory, with a small urchin whom he had taught to be
useful. This boy was of the meekest and mildest disposition.
