MEDICAL HISTORY, HUMANISM, AND THE STUDENT OF MEDICINE.

Henry R. Viets '12. Hanover: DartmouthPublications, 1960. 32 pp. $3.00.

This brilliantly written monograph is an expansion of Dr. Viets' splendid rendition of the Mayo Memorial Lecture in Hanover in October, 1958.

In urging the "artful balance" between the scientific aspects of medicine and the cultural standards of the art, and in urging the consideration of humanism in medicine, its motif is a particularly fitting tribute to Drs. William J. and Charles H. Mayo.

There is a consoling attitude that "bridging the gap" between a somewhat leisurely and frequently diffuse academic sojourn and the more definitive environment of science and the art of medicine is neither difficult nor the gulf so wide - providing perhaps that one is aware of its presence. The role of medical history as a unifying and cultural mechanism is emphasized, and Dr. Viets' life-long interest in this area is an obvious and convincing demonstration.

We are pleased that he approves - because many of us did it - of "entering medical history through the back door" as Fielding Garrison has it. That method requires only an average inquisitiveness aroused by the eponyms encountered from the beginning of the study of medicine. Medical history impresses upon us that we stand on the shoulders of those who have passed the same way - perhaps this is conducive to a modicum of scientific humility.

This little volume is replete with stimulating suggestions. In treating of history, cultural items, and humanism, it is pleasantly illustrated with personal experiences. When Harvey Cushing suggests Dr. Viets' medical sojourn with Osier, he urges, "Notice how he approaches the patient, but even more important how he leaves the patient." And then Dr. Viets has many descriptive examples of the linkage of culture and medicine (Osier, Cushing, Putti, Keynes, J. Johnston Abraham) and finally a list of suggested readings.

I would recommend that this be required reading for all medical students, pre-medical students, and their teachers; if not, that at least it be called to their attention.