AN OPERATION HOAX.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 September 1913, Page 3

AN OPERATION HOAX.

That medical students' love of a joke is not a thing of the past is shown by a hoax perpetrated recently on an Atlantic liner by a number of eminent American doctors. While a masquerade was in progress one of the doctors suddenly rushed forwaed. "Stop the music," he cried. "Dr Fitzgibbon hag been taken seriously ill. An operation may be necessary. Instantly the music stopped. The dancers went slowly and with hushed voices to the dining-room, where |)r Fitzgibbon lay, white-faced and groaning heavily. A consultation was rapidly held, and it was decided that, although there was uo hope for the patient, an operation would be tried. Fifteen medical men stood .round the patient. Two of the number, dressed in operating clothes, and with gloved hands and muffled faces, dipped their, instruments in the antiseptic, and one of the doctors made an incision. Men held their breath and women gasped. The surgeon's hand came out. The awed spectators gradually became aware that he held an enormous ham. Apples, grapes, a loaf of bread, a pineapple next appeared. But it was only when the patient sat tip and in deep tones demanded a glass of beer that the semi-hysterical onlookers realised that they had been hoaxed. The grave and reverend leaders of American medicine had enacted a mighty "bluff."