James Thomson referred to his own experience, having been discharged from the Navy as a young man, with this complaint. He mentioned that the doctor came to his bed in hospital and informed him without preamble that he was to go home as he had only a couple of months to live. He determined to live if only to spite the doctor. He here emphasised that out of the experience he discovered what a vitally important factor is the will to live, whatever the motive.

James Thomson made an excellent recovery and wrote to the doctor two years later to inform him of his triumph. The ironic sequel came in the form of a letter from the doctor’s widow to say that the doctor had passed away some time previously.