A memorable patient: The man who was too weak to work on Monday

I don't think I can truthfully say that Mr X was my most memorable case, but memorable for the unusual presentation and happy ending.

In 1951 my wife and I started a new practice in a new town, and within two years it had grown to 4000 patients. Over the evening meal we often swopped tales of anything interesting that had happened during the day. One day my wife said: “I saw Mrs X's baby today, and her husband was at home. Mrs X confided that he was often at home on Mondays as he felt too weak to go to work. She said she wanted him to see his doctor, but he would not go because he thought the doctor would only laugh at him.” My wife added: “He's on your list, but I don't think …