Andrew:

I cherish the memory of my childhood doctor, whose name was Kerwin (now long

deceased). He delivered me & then saw me through every illness a child can

have — measles, mumps, whooping cough, tonsillitis, etc. etc. Not only did

Dr. Kerwin smoke like a chimney, he was also a staggering drunk. I grew up

believing that whiskey-sodden breath was an essential part of the

professional persona. He was a fine doctor, though, and it is thanks to him

that I made it to adulthood (though sans tonsils, adenoids, & appendix).

People are too darn fussy nowadays.