An Apple a Day: Adventures of a Country Doctor

A London-trained, aspiring consultant surgeon turned general practitioner here recounts his experiences in a small, picturesque East Anglia farm community. With wit and discernment, he portrays his patients and village ""characters'' including the hostile, usually tardy midwife, a scheming mother of a marriageable daughter, the aging but feisty female pub ownera valuable source of information on local goings-onand two derelict brothers and their houseful of cats. The poor assistant G.P. is on call at all hours in all weather, often working under primitive conditions. Despite stiff competition with the more prosperous, better-equipped veterinarian, the author and he collaborate in a case of psittacosis transmitted from one patient to another, parrot to owner. (January 7)