In this particular case, it was impossible for the nurse to force her way in, or to do anything except await developments. As it happened, there was no one in the family likely to become infected, since the patient had no brothers or sisters, no one except his mother with whom he came in contact. The sacrifice of this boy to the ignorance, obstinacy, jealousy, or stupidity of the local physician proved a striking object lesson to the neighbourhood. The bereaved and indignant mother was a factor in forming public opinion in this particular vicinity. Another case is that of a woman who had in her employ a favourite coloured servant, whom she suspected to be tuberculous. Accordingly, she sent for the nurse, asking her to take all necessary steps towards getting the case diagnosed. As the patient was too ill to go to a dispensary and could not afford a doctor, the nurse brought a specimen of sputum to the laboratory of the Health Department, where it was proved positive. So far, all was clear going. The patient was given her prophylactic supplies, put to bed in a clean, airy room, and the nurse called daily to give her a bath and such attention as she required. This should have been a hospital case, but at that time the hospital was crowded and there was no available bed. One day, when the nurse called as usual, she found the patient suddenly become very impudent. She was lying in a room with all windows closed, and a coal oil stove in full blast; no supplies were in sight and the patient was expectorating at random over the floor. This change had occurred because the patient had taken some of the money given by her employer, and had called in a “private doctor,” who declared she had nothing but a passing cold. He also told her the supplies were nonsense, and that he could cure her in two or three weeks. Furthermore, this physician himself came down to the Health Department, and forbade the nurse to continue her visits, and all “interference” with his case. A few days later, the employer also came to the Health Department, in considerable heat, and wished to know why the nurse was neglecting her duty. The explanation was satisfactory, and a visit to her servant amply corroborated the statements that had been made. This woman had been paying her servant full wages while off duty, as well as providing her with many little luxuries and necessities. She was therefore in a position to dictate the terms upon which she would continue this assistance, and these terms did not include visits from a physician of the calibre of the man now in attendance. In every case, however, it is not so easy to obtain the whip-hand of the situation.