Chapter 2

                                                The Diary of Seraphina Doran
                                                                
                                                                                         Tuesday July 10th 1888

  
     Today I visited Dr. Griffiths again. He seemed a little better, propped up on a mountain
of pillows, sipping beef tea and discussing his new lodgings. He has rented a house in Mount st
Whitechapel, adjacent to the Royal London Hospital.Which is where my father is a surgeon in
residence. He requested, in addition to me calling on him daily, that I continue his research.
 He handed me a large, brown, battered, Gladstone bag which contained all his previous findings.
I was very moved when he said he trusted me and that he thought me more than equal to the task
of carrying on where he left off. He then proceeded to ask me about my father.
  " Tell me, Miss Seraphina, how is your father these days?" I answered that he was very well
and highly respected at the hospital. A strange, wide grin appeared on his skull-like face which
momentarily disconcerted me. To see his blue tinged lips stretch, to reveal a set of splendid,
white teeth seemed rather incongruous. They are about the healthiest looking part of his
anatomy. Very even and undecayed, the only outstanding feature being a slight over-development
of the canine teeth. He continued: "Would your father be able to arrange it for you to gain access
to the laboratories? To analyse my samples and speak with the relevant authorities about mine
and other similar conditions?" I answered that while difficult, it was not impossible and I would
see what could be done. He then began to question me about my credentials and asked me where
I had studied. I told him I received my medical degree from The Catholic University in Dublin
and took my licence exams at The Royal Irish Collage Of Surgeons. He seemed impressed and
went on to inform me that female physicians were far more common on the continent. How
"Britannia for all her industrial development, is sadly behind the times when it comes to social
innovation". I found it quite refreshing to hear a fellow doctor not only speak in such
complimentary terms, but to see such sentiments translated into action. He has entrusted his professional legacy to me.
  I have arranged a meeting between Dr.Griffiths and my father. As he is eager to become
acquainted with him, also to discuss requirements of my research. Furthermore he wishes to
know about the facilities available, should his symptoms become unmanageable in a domestic
setting. He seemed satisfied with the outcome of our meeting and suggested that I should
find lodgings near by, for the purposes of attending him and to be in closer proximity to the
hospital while conducting my research. I told him I would give it due consideration, however,
my family home being but a modest distance from both Mount st and the hospital means I am
in no hurry to uproot myself. I am far to content with my home comforts, such as my Mother's
superior French cooking and my Father's vast medical library! I bade him farewell at around
eight o'clock this evening. He was propped up on his side, reading a Welsh volume which he informed me, was 'The Book Of Taliesin'.

                                                              S. Doran