LOSS OF MEMORY

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 13

LOSS OF MEMORY

DOCTOR AND HIS DEGTS

A doctor who said that he could not remember his own marriage appeared for his public examination at London Bankruptcy Court recently, before Mr Register Kean. He was Mr Louis de dough, a medical practitioner, of Kingsland road, E. In reply to Mr L. A. West, Senior Official Receiver, ho said that his liabilities were £o,loo. There were no assets.

He qualified in 1928, and in January, 1934, bought a practice in Kingsland road for £O,OOO, borrowing £-5,200 by way of mortgage on the practice and the security of three life policies. Mr de Jongh added that he was married to a Miss Oppenheim in June, 1937. His father-in-law wished the mortgage on the practice of £4.800 to be paid off from a marriage settlement, and that was done. Mr West; Your father-in-law is the petitioning creditor in your bankruptcy?—Yes. In September, 1937, said Mr do Jongh, he mortgaged the practice again for £2,000. Asked why, he said that he suffered from loss of memory, and added, “ 1 don’t remember why I did it.” Questioned about money he borrowed, Mr de Jongh replied, “ I don’t know why I did it.” He said that he did not remember taking a new mortgage for £3,500 in May last year and discharging the existing one. The Registrar: Can you recall anything of vour married life?—No. Then you don’t know whether your wife had extravagant habits?—No. Or why you borrowed these moneys? —No.

Mr West: Do you remember getting married?—When I was first ill I did not know whether I was married or not. Mr de Jongh added that he could not remember anything of his personal affairs from February, 1937, to November, 1938 He did not remember accepting any bills of exchange for bis mother, or that she was to proceed oh a claim, of £5,000. He remembered the crisis in September and the Coronation, he said, but could not remember anything of his personal affairs. Mr West; Did you see your wife after your marriage?—Yes. The Registrar; Did you recognise her? —I remember becoming engaged. W’hen I was in a nursing home I had treatment and saw my wife, and then I knew I had been engaged to,her. 1 don’t remember anything about my marriage. 1 don’t know’ anything about it now.