A Doctor's Occupation

doi:10.1136/bmj.b2603

Published 29 June 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2603
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2603

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A Doctor’s Occupation

Aidan M O’Donnell, consultant anaesthetist, St John’s Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian

aidanmark@doctors.org.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

This poignant memoir gives us a frank and emotive account oflife spent in the Channel Islands under German occupation. Lewisarrived in Jersey in 1935 and became a partner in a busy generalpractice. Towards the outbreak of war many islanders began toleave for the mainland. Lewis was able to leave Jersey on oneof the last boats, together with his pregnant wife. His partnerhad promised to remain to take care of their patients. On reachinghis family home in Wales, Lewis received a telephone call tosay that, without warning, his partner had panicked and abandonedthe island and their patients.

Lewis did not know how many doctors remained on Jersey, buthe did know he had patients who needed him. With his wife’sagreement he left Wales and, "honour bound" to care for hispatients, returned to Jersey, where he was trapped for the next. . . [Full text of this article]

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