I was working in a surgical ward at a base hospital, and among the
patients was a Tommy with a fractured thigh-bone. He had his leg in a
splint and, as was customary in these cases, there was an extension at
the foot-piece with a heavy weight attached to prevent shortening of
the leg.
This weight was causing him a good deal of pain, and as I could
do nothing to alleviate it I asked the M.O. to explain to him the
necessity for the extension. He did so and ended up by saying, "You
know, we want your leg to be straight, old man."
The Tommy replied: "Wot's the good of making that leg strite w'en
the uvver one's bowed?"--_Muriel A. Batey (V.A.D. Nurse), The North
Cottage, Adderstone Crescent, Newcastle-upon-Tyne._