My breath was completely taken away by this information regarding private matters.
Next came the abrupt question:
"In general, Herr Kreisphysikus, are you in favor of wet or dry treatment in rheumatism?"
A patient after all! I breathed more freely. Herr Jonas Goldstücker had given me a creepy sensation.
"I don't understand what you mean by that."
"I mean, are you in favor of massage and electricity or in favor of baths?"
The impudent assurance of the question utterly astounded me, and I wanted to give him a brusque reply, when he continued:
"Sanitätsrat Ehrlich is an excellent physician; but he's a bit antiquated already, Herr Kreisphysikus. The young doctors of to-day make a much more lymphatic impression."
Doubtless, he meant "emphatic," because a few moments later another pretentious word was incorrectly applied.
"But Sanitätsrat Ehrlich after all has the largest practice in the congregation; and people would look on it as bigamy if anyone were to say anything against him."