The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was kind enough to give everyone in the class a copy of On Doctoring , a collection of stories, poems, and essays about the practice of medicine. I started reading it last night, and wanted to share a couple of interesting quotations and passages.

bq(quote). “One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”
– Frances Weld Peabody (1881-1927)

bq(quote). Surgeons must be very careful
When they take the knife!
Underneath their fine incisions
Stirs the Culprit– Life!
– Emily Dickinson, Surgeons Must Be Very Careful

Also, take a look at this illustration of a 17th century physician during the plague era. The description from the book:

“The gown was usually made of leather, as was the mask. The mask had glass windows over the eyes; its long beak was filled with antiseptics. In his gloved hand the plague doctor carried a wand to assess the pulse and to avoid direct contact.”

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