Care with case notes

In October 1954 I was the newly appointed registrar to Dr John Bolton, physician and geriatrician, waiting to begin my first ward round. I had, I thought, got the details of all the cases ready, but I was still nervous. Dr Bolton had not been at the interview when I was appointed, but the ward sister and the houseman assured me that he was a nice person.

We began at the first patient and discussed her. I felt happy with what I had suggested. As we ended, I started to move towards the next bed. Dr Bolton, however, asked sister for the patient's notes and carefully …