In that respect the Chief Physician of the army sometimes had the backing of the Pasha; more often, however, the Pasha in his typical thrifty manner would require him to make do with what was available. For example, when it was brought to his attention that students in the School of Medicine were issued with small uniforms that did not fit them, he characteristically answered that “each person has to extend his legs as much as could be covered by his trousers.”

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 1131