A major discussing medicine with two doctors. Wood engraving after G. Du Maurier.

Dialogue includes: The major (who takes an intelligent interest in science) "I sometimes feel - a - almost half inclined to - er - suspect that possibly - the disease you mention may - er - may, under certain circumstances, not be absolutely non-infectious - at least, I -" Sir Rupert Pillington (M.D., F.R.S., &c.) "The self-confidence of these amateurs! Eh, Sir Malcolm? Why I've given my whole life to the question! - And I pronounce that it is not infectious!" Sir Malcolm McCure (ditto ditto) "Well! It's a matter to which I have devoted my entire existence - and I emphatically declare it is!" [The major gets quite unsettled in his convictions on the subject.