‘The opportunities of a pathologist at a large Eastern Hospital are many; but his time for research work is short, and his conveniences are few.’ So begins this landmark paper written by Alfred Whitmore and published in the journal in 1913 [1]. He goes on to demonstrate just how well that short time can be used by someone with the energy, intelligence and scientific rigour in order to make the most of those opportunities. I first read this paper 15 years ago and have re-read it many times since, usually reflecting on how remarkably little our knowledge of melioidosis has advanced since 1913. I notice something new each time I read it and, most importantly of all, each time it is an absolute pleasure to read. How many modern scientific papers leave one feeling the same way?