Recollections of Doctor Alston’s treatment
ON the Vryheid Herald website I read that Dr Alston is calling it a day after 50 years. A more stellar record is hard to imagine. I wish him all the best with his retirement.
Siggi Düvel writes:
ON the Vryheid Herald website I read that Dr Alston is calling it a day after 50 years. A more stellar record is hard to imagine. I wish him all the best with his retirement.
I have a personal recollection of Dr Alston going back to 1966, the year he started his practice. He shared premises with Dr Koster in those days. I was in standard 6 at Vryheid High School and I was afflicted with a condition that we had tried to have diagnosed, but unsuccessfully. My parents said we should try the new doctor in town and I duly saw Dr Alston. He seemed a little perplexed, tried one remedy, and at the next consultation asked whether I enjoyed fishing. Of course, was my response, especially in the local streams and dams. He then placed his finger on the probable cause of my condition. It turned out to be bilharzia after the necessary tests were conducted.
Also Read: Dr Alston calls it a day after 50 years
I left Vryheid after school and never again had the privilege of darkening the door to his consulting rooms. However Dr Alston remained the personal doctor of my parents, Friedhold and Edelgard Düvel, right up until December 2003 when they both passed away in the same month.
