Self-contained and self-controlled as Dr. Janeway was, there were some
things which kindled his righteous wrath to a state of militant
activity. And one of these was petty political plotting in the ranks of
his own profession--the profession he loved and believed in as an
institution of sound progress when not soiled by selfish purpose. An
instance of this came to me through a personal experience. It was soon
after my return from study abroad, while I was seeking a suitable
position in a city hospital. This particular place was all but secured
when another post was offered to me by the head of one of the largest
medical institutions in town. With youthful naïveté, I expressed my
appreciation of the offer but explained my reasons for wishing to secure
the appointment I had been seeking. Incensed by the fact that I did not
directly jump at his offer, the noted doctor brought the interview
rapidly to an end, and I departed. Some weeks went by and from the
position which I had been in quest of and from which I should have
received word, I heard nothing. And then, I found out why. The powerful
gentleman, whose offer I had not accepted, had lost no time in going to
the hospital head who had practically arranged to assign me to the
desired position, and telling him it would be a great mistake to give me
the post.
When Dr. Janeway found this out, it was plain that there was still
another side to the Doctor, for his strength to strike out at foul play
showed its sufficient force on that occasion. It is almost needless to
say that the desired appointment was very soon mine.