A police officer watched him closely. The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to the police and asked, "Hey, Mr. Policeman, what causes arthritis?"

The policeman responded, "It's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol and a contempt for your fellow man."

"Well, I'll be darn," the drunk said, returning to his paper.

The police officer, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man with his night stick and apologized.

"I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"

"I don't have it, Mr. Policeman. I was just reading here that the chief of police does".