THE MEDICAL STUDENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 3

THE MEDICAL STUDENT.

A WAITIN' G EX A.MI NATION RESULTS. A STUDY OF HUMAN NATURE. i hoy wore lounging about (he room in indifferent attitudes. some snugly ensconsed in large easy chairs, others perched on the edge of ft table, idle swinging tVur legs, ami still some making use of the arms of chairs or holding the wall up. Ihe air was tilled with cigarette smoke, the mumble of voices, and now and again a burst of laughter. They were students, some 40 of them, the scene was in the common room of (he Otago Medical School, and the hour was 5.45 n.m. At 6 o’clock they would know the results of an important examination which would carry them into the final stages of qualification as men of medicine. Newcomers were greeted noisily, all the Bills, Pats. Jacks, toms, and Harrys were there, the room was full, and one lone stranger sat near by, an interested spectator. “That practical got mo down ’’ said one aspiring surgeon. “Yes, it, was rather hard,” admitted another. “hut he (meaning the professor), let, me go in 20 minutes, while was kept there two hours—oh, what a life!” At (His moment a student who had sought oblivion and comfort gave signs of returning bte, and btiskilv declared that he didn’t give a “continental” was happened, and it appeared as if he were past the caring stage. Time drew on. the air was blue with cif/arotlo smoko, mid rosllossnow was increasing, when suddenly a cry went Up; “Dick, 30U arc wanted Where is he From some obscure part of the room Dick appeared, ftnd walked rapidly out and away, followed bv good-humoured remarks *nd words of adviec. “They are eoining. boys;- let us go to (he room of slaughter and hear our fate.” cried a student. Then came the rush, chairs were pushed hack, and a general stampede followed. Down a corridor they ran, pushing, shouting, and laughing, and then into another room. If their faces had been white before Ihov looked even whiter now, as with eyes alight with hone fill expectancy they gathered round a table and waited “Here he comes.” cried a voice from the floor. “Quick. Dick, let, us Know the Worst.” Dick came in wifh a rush, Jumped on to a table, and surveyed the anxious faces below him. his hand with a noticeable tremor holding a slip of paper, the contents of which meant so much to the students. As he cleared his throat a quiet fell over the room which visd ’ contrasted with the din of n few momonls before, and then the names . It did not take long, and the few whose names were rend o"t nalcd and swallowed hard—they had failed. The remainder had passed, and ns the last name was rend out there was a shout, then a cheer, and then pandemonium. Daughter and happiness, and wild enthusiasm, indeed, and for several moments a stranger could quite easily have Imagined himself in a mad house. It was intensely human. After months of bard ninety, day and night, partaking of little, if any, pleasure, the hysterica) outburst on the part of (he students was only natural. It was a sight, to bo remembered, and with this obstacle safely negotiated the students will have a rest, and (hen again to work for the Pinal examination.