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Most of the time in conversation, I find myself listening to other people's problems about their health. Now, I'm not an expert on health matters. When I was young, around 9 years old, we had a doctor round the corner in Cathcart Road in Glasgow with the unenviable name of Dr Sluglett which we pronounced with a long oo. I had always assumed that he was a Jewish survivor from eastern Europe, but I found out that the name originates in Northern Cornwell. He was on hand if ever you needed him to pay a house visit. His surgery consisted of long benches on which patients with various contractable ailments sat, some smoking and coughing away in the dense air of the cramped room.
Smoking was socially acceptable in those days. Across the road from my house was a little store which sold cigarettes and confectionary. We were attended to by a frail old woman well on the path to dementia. Behind her I presumed was her daughter who was there to supervise should any problems arise with her dealing with customers. Outside the shop on a sandwich board was an advert for Cravena cigarettes.
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| Read the legend. |
Craven "A" – For Your Throat's Sake
They were actually recommended by doctors. Notice the personification on the advert in the heading, presuming that Cigarettes can make you their friend.
What ailments are most commonly discussed? Arthritis, Bronchitis, Kidney and Stomach Problems, Bladder, , Eyesight and, of course, Heart Problems.
Sometimes, when I think it's appropriate, I tell them about an old Hopi Indian saying: Now is a good time to die!
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