My most memorable experience of all was helping the theatre orderly in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. I was very nosy and wanted to know everything. One day, I found a gangrenous, blackened leg sticking out of a steel bucket in the 'prep room'. I actually picked it up (!!) carried it towards him and asked why it was so black, how it had been cut off and what should I do with it? He gasped and spluttered and told me to put the bloody thing back where I'd found it. (In fact it was destined for the Medical School next door)

I won't go into detail, but I still smile at Sister's stern instructions on 'How to give Men a blanket bath." I'd never seen 'a Man' before, and hadn't a clue what to do with one. She actually demonstrated on an elderly chap. I didn't know where to put my face!