M. Bliss: William Osler: A Life in Medicine -Review

Osler's life was a remarkable achievement as a medical teacher (important in America in giving medical students real medical experience, as clinical clerks in hospitals) physician, prolific author, councilor, researcher and mentor to literately thousands of men and women embarking on the profession in the medicos. It was the philosopher and great teacher, William James, who commented to Osler, marveling and his energy and interests. Osler replied that he was terribly conscious of the time that it was a commodity he wished he could buy more of, as there was so much, he could do with it. (p. 502) Osler's zest for work and unbending passion for medicine set the standard for medical women and men in the twentieth century.

After reading Michael Bliss's brilliant biography of the pioneering neurosurgeon, Harvey Cushing, another remarkable medical man, and Osler's first biographer, it seemed only natural to read about Cushing's mentor. Both biographies are first-rate, and it really would be a disservice to compare them, because both works are thorough, educational, inspiring, and definitive contributions to the greats of medical history.

Osler is the author of the currently classic text, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, which became the core textbook for students and practicing physicians during his life. It became a yearly task for the doctor to revise later editions (sixteen in all) and in present time, for modern doctors, according to Bliss, has now become patient-centered and a historical document of the state of 19th century medicine.

Osler is famous for his bedside manner, the notion of empowering patients and autonomy in clinical practice. The man's faith in medicine and the legendary "aura" of healing that surrounded him, causing patients to regain faith in their own healing ability, has caused a renewed interest in humanities joining forces with science, a proper balance, ensuring optimal treatment and outcome for the patient.

How did the man accomplish so much in one lifetime? Similar to the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant, people close to him could adjust their clocks to the second by the philosopher's movements. Osler was the same: his day was usually planned down to the minute, rising at seven and retiring by ten-thirty every day.

He was also a man born with writing disease; never a day would go by without putting pen to paper, as his articles, correspondence, speeches and books certainly reveal. A consummate bibliophile, his collection of medical texts and related subjects, at the end of his life reached eight thousand, taking many years to catalog, ending up being donated, as was his wish, to McGill University.

An excellent biography of an extraordinary man of medicine.