AMERICAN OSlER SOCIETY November 2007 8, Issue 3

The Oslerian

A Message from the President Osler's Bedside : A Survey and a Proposal

Greetings, Fellow Oslerisns Table 1. Osler's Bedside Library for Medical Students Inside this issue: In one of his final acts as presi- dent of the American Osler I. Old and New Testaments VI. Epictetus Society, Chester Bums asked Minutes, Board of Gover- 3 II. Shakespeare VII. ReJigio Medici nors, American Osler Soci- that I form a small committee ety, 30 April 2007 to look at revising and updating Ill. Montaigne VIII. Don Quixote Osler's "Bedside Library for IV. Plutarch's Lives IX. Emerson Minutes, Annual Meeting of 4 Medical Students." Robert American Osler Society, 2 Rakel and Herb Swick joined V. Marcus Aurelius X. Oliver Wendell Holmes- May 2007 me on that committee, and we Breakfast- Table Series soon decided that "improving" Local Arrangements for the 6 Osler was beyond our meager 2008 Annual Meeting, abilities. We carried out an It seems to me that Chester This brief survey implies that Boston, May 4-7 informal survey of American was quite correct in his impli- even dedicated (and not young) Osler Society members, asking cation that the original list is Oslerians ignore the master's Dates and Locations for 6 them to give us their personal unlikely to appeal to twenty- advice when it comes to read- 2009 and 2010 Annual list of ten titles that they first-century medical students ing to prepare for a life in Meetings would recommend to medical in part because of the ponder- medicine. students (I think for our pur- ous prose style of some of (Continued onpage 2) poses we can consider all sen- Osler's authors (plutarch and tient doctors as students, not Brown, for example). This sen- just the tyro students of an or- timent is borne out by the re- Table 2. Indications of 19 ganized medical school). We sponses of our survey partici- respondents as to whether also asked respondents to tell pants, who were asked to note they'd read items in Table 1 us how many of Osler's ten whether they had read little-to- they had themselves read none or much-to-all of the en- Shakespeare 95% and to comment on what they tries on Osler's list. Their re- saw as Osler's purpose in mak- sponses are shown in Table 2, Old and New Testa- 84% ing the original list (Table 1). where "0%" means that little or manents none of the item was read by We got 19 responses from 18 Don Quixote 68% Oslerians (one sent the ques- any of our respondents and tionnaire twice-and, interest- "100%" would mean that Oliver Wendell ingly, the two responses were much or all was read by the Holmes 53% not identical, which tells us respondents. If this were a re- ReJigio Medici 42% something about the will-o'- port card, Shakespwere would the-wisp nature of the task get an "A" and the Old and Emerson 42% Chester set for us). Those 19 New Testament a "B"; Don Marcus Aurelius 37% responses form the basis of this Quixote would have a "D+ and Plutarch's Lives report and have led to a pro- all the other entries would flunk 32% Frank A. Neelon posal that I think would satisfy (poor old Epictetus doesn't Montaigne 21% Chester's original charge. even get on the radar screen). Epictetus 0% The Oslerian Volume 8, Issue 3

Page 2 President's Letter (continued) Table 3. Suggestions for a Twenty-First Century Bedside. Library for Medical Students (number of citations)

Respondents were asked to submit their own candidates of Works of Shakespeare 8 books for a twenty-first century list. A total of 124 book titles were provided (the final tally does not include entries such as Old and New Testaments 6 "internet access" or" The Times Literary Supplement"). Seventy- Don Quixote (Cervantes) 4 eight titles appeared only once; these ranged from the Q'ursn and other non-Biblical holy books and The Gospel According to Pea- Poems in English (various anthologies) 4 nuts, to the New Fowler's Modem English, Toynbee's A Study of The Doctor StOlies(William Carlos Williams) 4 History, Orwell's 1984, and Rushdie's Midnight's Children. I William Osler: A Life in Memcine (BIss) 4 could discern no pattern in the sum of responses except to assume that they represent each respondent's list of personal favorites at Religio Media (Brown) 3 the moment. No one made clear the reasons for their choices. Life of Johnson (Boswell) 2 Thirteen of the cited works were listed by multiple respondents. Man's Search for Meaning (Frankel) 2 Interestingly, Osler's original list fares pretty well in the sense that contemporary respondents would retain four of Osler's choices Osler's Collected Essays 2 and the rank order of these four mirrors their positions in Table 2. The Prince (Machiavelli) 2 Still, none of the works was listed on even half of the responses, which really brings us to the crux of the problem of "updating" The Story of Civilization (Durant) 2 Osler's selections-it seems unlikely that we will ever get a con- Works of Winston Churchill 2 sensus, and certainly not often.

At least five other authors 1-5 have looked at Osler's recom- mended Bedside Library and offered comments and suggestions. puters can, I propose that the American Osler Society sponsor a web- The papers by Reynolds, Rake!, and Pai and Gurashani provide based catalogue of recommended books. This would include more new lists based on surveys carried out by the authors, while than just recommended titles, though. We would need a brief but Massey and Goldman mediate on Osler's original list, but don't cogent paragraph outlining the nominator's reasons for suggesting give us new ones. The paper by Hallberg'Tists books the author the work and why it is of value for "medical students" (that is, all of and some colleagues consider worth reading, but it does not men- us). We could attach "reviews" of each entry by anyone who wants tion or allude to Osler's list. To my eye, the single most striking to respond. We could keep submitted titles on a probationary list; if thing about these newer lists is the lack of any common thread that no seconding comments are received, they would be deleted after six links the choices. At best, the authors give brief comments about months; if there is at least one positive seconding comment, those their books and why they are worth reading or try to ferret out the items (and the accompanying comments) would be moved to the motives lying behind the choices. "permanent" list where further commentaries would be solicited and Perhaps the wild diversity of recommended books (Table 3) stored. If the list becomes so large as to be unwieldy, items that do reflects the absence of any stated criteria for choice. It is not even not stand the test oftime (based on received comments) would be clear what were Osler's motives in proposing his ten works. I sus- removed. The list would doubtlessly be longer than 10 items, but we pect that behind all the array of nominated is the sense could organize it into sections with common themes. that medical practice, despite its reliance on and celebration of 1would very much like to hear what Oslerians think ofthis idea biological science, remains a somewhat mysterious enterprise, full and whether we should move forward with it. of "snarled problems and pratfalls"-the moral and ethical and spiritual dimensions of practice that are not illuminated by scien- Francis A. Neelon tific inquiry. Medical doctors, asked to describe what they do that [email protected] is helpful to the sick, give only superficial and unsatisfactory an- swers (in the words of Michael Polanyi, we "know more than we REFERENCES can tell"). This inability to describe the doctor's job in simple, 1. Goldman N. Literary prescription. Med J Aust 1982; 1: 41-42. declarative phrases, leads us to recommend that students read books that seemed to have helped us mold strongly-held, if diffi- 2. Massey RU. Reflections on medicine: Osler's bedside library. cult to articulate, ideas about what constitutes doctoring. This is Conn Med1986; 50: 51. akin to the idea of Carl Rogers that little that is of value can be 3. Pai SA, Gursahani RD. Osler's bedside library revisited-books taught, but that much that is of value can be learned. Given the for the 21st century. BMJ 2005; 331: 1482. shifting sands on which the various reading lists are constructed, it 4. Rakel RE. Modern version of Osler's bedside library. Perspect is not surprising that they should be so diverse. BioI Med1988; 31: 577-585. Chester Bums's exercise has brought me to the conclusion that 5. Reynolds RC. Osler's bedside library revisited. Pharos 1965; the world does not need another print version of an "updated" Osler's list. Print is too rigid for this purpose. What we need is a 48(2): 34-36. living document, capable of change and revision as times and re- 6. Hallberg J. 11 books that made a difference. Minn Med2005 spondents' moods change. Because print can't do this but com- (July): 24-28. PI The Oslerian Volume 8, Issue 3

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Minutes, Board of Governors, American Osler Society, 30 April 2007

1. Members of the Board of Governors of the American Osler the medical humanities. Society met in the Printempts Room of the Hotel Ornni Mont- 7. John P. Mctlovern Award Lectureship Committee: Claus Pier- Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Present were Drs. Charles ach reported that this year's recipient is Abraham Verghese. Ambrose, Charles Bryan, Stephen Greenberg, Joseph Leila, Wil- liam McMillan, Robert Martensen, Sandra Moss, Paul Mueller, 8. Nominating Committee: Marvin Stone reported recommenda- Jock Murray, Francis Neelon, John Noble, Claus Pierach, Clyde tions as follows: for second vice-president, John Noble; and for Partin, Charles Roland, and Marvin Stone, and Ms. Pamela Miller. three-year terms on the Board of Governors, Robert G. Mennel, Jock Murray, president, called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. Paul S. Mueller, and Steven 1. Peitzman. 2. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Chester R. 9. Finance Committee: Paul Dyment's report was given in absen- Bums, who died in December 2006. tia. The Society's portfolio with Fidelity Investments is distributed among 24 funds, with a target allocation of 50% in stock funds, 3. Dr. Murray called for additional agenda items. Sandra Moss 40% in bond funds, and 10% in money market funds. During the added one, conveyed to her by Allen Weisse (see below). fiscal year 2006 the retum in the Society's principal investment 4. Minutes of the 2006 Board of Governors meeting held 1 May in fund ("Y 99") increased by 9.61%, compared with a 15.8% retum Halifax, Nova Scotia, were approved as written and previously for the Standard and Poor 500 Index (U.S. stocks) and 4.3% for distributed in the August 2006 issue of The Oslerian. the Lehman Brothers Aggregate bond index. Dr. Dyment con- cludes that the Society's investment funds continue to bring a sat- 5. Secretsry-Treesurer's Report: Dr. Bryan gave this report, refer- isfactory retum, historically doing somewhat better than such indi- ence being made to information published in the February 2007 ces as the S & P 500 Index and the Dow-Jones Industrial Index issue of The Osletisn. There are at present 172 members, distrib- during "lean" years although not quite as well during "growth" uted in the following categories: 6 honorary members, III active years. Put differently, the Society's investments are oriented to- members, 2 associate members, 45 emeritus members, 5 student ward conservative growth. members, and 3 inactive members. Year-end liquid assets (31 De- cember 2006) was at an all-time high of$543,221.51 distributed 10. Membership Committee: Daniel Morgan's report was given in (for internal accounting purposes) as follows: $239,918.73 absentia. Recommended for membership were Drs. Darryl Bind- (44.2%) in the John P. McGovern Lectureship Fund, $111,320.81 schadler, Robert A. Kyle, and Robert 1. Levy. A motion was made, (20.5%) in the William B. Bean Educational Endowment; and seconded, and unanimously approved to admit all three to mem- $191,982.97 (35.3%) in uncommitted funds. Liquid assets on 27 bership based on their complete applications and superb qualifica- April 2007 (with all outstanding bills paid prior to the annual tions. meeting) were $568,347.70, distributed as follows: $536,599.57 in 11. Historian-Archivist's Report: Charles Roland presented his the Fidelity Y99 account (an investment account), $12,286.80 in report along with a two-page handout. The Osler Library's History the Fidelity X15 account (an interest-bearing checking account), of Medicine series now includes Richard Golden's edited volume, and $19,461.33 in the Bank of America Account (an escrow ac- The Transatlantic Voice, and two additional manuscripts are being count). During 2006 there were no unusual expense items. A large considered for future publication. Dr. William Feindel reports deficit incurred at the annual meeting in Halifax (see the February progress with the archives of Dr. Wilder Penfield, a founding 2007 issue of The Oslerian) was offset by a favorable (9.61 %) member of the AOS, and also a republication of No Mall Alone, return from the Fidelity Y99 account. Dr. Bryan reported on steps Penfield's autobiography. The archivist regularly handles, with taken to avoid similarly large deficits in the future, specifically (1) Mrs. Pamela Miller and the Osler Library staff, requests for infor- issuing tickets for the two luncheons, at near-cost; (2) avoiding or mation, photographs, and reprints. Dr. Feindel provided a memo- minimizing the expenses for receipt-free receptions; and (3) cash rial tribute to the late Archibald Edward Malloch (1926-2006), a bars this year's and future banquets. Two unusual expense items longtime supporter and curator of the Osler Library and, through anticipated for 2007 have now been paid, as follows: $20,851. 79 his mother, a relative of William Osler. Professor Malloch had for the supplement issue of the Journal of Medical Biography, paid contributed substantial information for Charles Roland's forth- on 12 March 2007; and $2,307.24 for the purchase of 30 new coming biography of his grandfather, another Archibald Edward president's plaques, paid on 17 April 2007. Dr. Bryan's only rec- Malloch (1844-1919). Dr. Roland, at the request of the Malloch ommendations for 2007 were for (1) fiscal conservatism; and (2) family, recently presented Revere Osler's christening cup to the enhanced long-range planning. This report was accepted as infor- Osler Library. Finally, Dr. Roland reported that he has continued mation. to collect and submit various materials to the AOS archives main- 6. William B. Bean Student Research A ward Committee. Robert tained by the Osler Library. Kimbrough's report was given in absentia. There were nine appli- 12. Program Committee: Frank Neelon reported on the status of cants, which probably constitutes a record. The recipients are Neil this year's meeting program and on the selection process for sub- T. Jenkins of Ohio State University College of Medicine and Paul missions. 1. Krezanoski of Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Bryan reported that the recipients have been notified and have been given 13. Publications Committee: Clyde Partin reported that a major their research stipends. All nine applicants have been given copies activity during the past year has been work toward an electronic ofthis year's program and encouraged to continue their interest in data base, conducted primarily by Michael Jones with support by The Oslerian Volume 8, Issue 3

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Frank Neelon. Dr. Neelon reported that, during his forthcoming active members (Ill, or 114 after the current meeting) is well shy presidential year, he planned to donate to the Society a one-year of this ceiling. Jock Murray suggested that we review the criteria subscription to the AskSam database. Dr. Partin also reported the for membership. He pointed out that William Osler might consider following: (1) Publications included The Transatlantic Voice: A the Society's mission statement to be somewhat odd, since it Philological Study, edited by Golden RG, Bryan CS, and Golden seemed to be focused mainly on him. Robert Martensen com- JT (Osler Library Studies of the History of Medicine #10) and a mented on the importance of reflecting on the "DNA of an organi- supplement issue of The Joumal of Medical Biography, (2) Dr. zation" and agreed that the mission statement should perhaps be Partin submitted to Dr. Golden, the historian-archivist, a synopsis adjusted. There was general consensus that Allen Weiss's question of the 2006 annual meeting; (3) a PowerPoint presentation by contains merit. Charles Ambrose entitled "The Immortal Osler: Reflections on the 21. Committee appointments. Jock Murray, with input from those Life of Sir William Osler" will be put on the Society's website; (4) present, made the following appointments: Dr. Bryan has communicated with Ms. Julie Mitchell of the John P. McGovern Foundation about the possibility of beginning a John Nominating committee: Claus Pierach (chair), Jock Murray, P. McGovern Fund for the Society's publications; (5)The idea of Marvin Stone a distillation of Earl Nation's writings remains on the William B. Bean Student Scholarship A ward Mark Silverman table; and (6) The committee continues to encourage members (chair), Charles Ambrose, and Clif Cleaveland. who have no intention of publishing their presentations to submit their manuscript and/or PowerPoint presentation to the Osler Li- John P McGovem A ward Committee: Marvin Stone (chair), Law- brary, as from time to time researchers request information about rence Longo, Jock Murray. past presentations. Membership Committee: Pamela Miller (chair), Frank Neelon, 14. AOS-AAHM Liaison Committee: Charles Bryan reported that John Noble. this connnittee, which was structurally a committee appointed by Program Committee: Joseph Lella (chair), Philip Leon, Pamela the American Association for the History of Medicine (AAHM) Miller, Sandra Moss. rather than the AOS, now appears to be defunct. Finance Committee: Paul Dyment (chair), Dee Canale, Bruce Fye, Lifetime Achievement A ward Bruce Fye's report was given in Perry Hookman, Charles Wooley, Charles Bryan (ex officio). absentia. The 2007 recipient is Dr. Lawrence D. Longo. Publications Committee: Clyde Partin (chair), Frank Neelon, Joe 15. AOS Visiting Professorship Committee: John Noble reported Lella, Charles Roland, Preston Reynolds, Mike Jones, Arthur that the activities of this committee are currently on hold, as rela- Gryfe. tively little interest has been forthcoming from members. Visiting Professionalism Committee: John Noble (chair), Herbert 16. Ad Hoc Committee on Professionalism: Charles Bryan re- Swick, Clyde Partin, Joseph Lella, Marvin Stone, Charles Bryan. ported that the activities of this connnittee are currently on hold. Paul Mueller reported that a major conference on medical profes- Lifetime Achievement A ward Committee: Bruce Fye (chair), Cyn- sionalism will be held in Rochester, Minnesota, 4-5 October 2007. thia Pitcock, Robert Kimbrough. 17. Ad Hoc Committee to Compile a Recommended Reading List 22. Honorary Membership: There were no recommendations. for Twenty-First Century Medical Students. Frank Neelon re- 23. Local Arrangements Committee: Pamela Miller reported on ported that 24 members have submitted lists, with little commonal- arrangements for this year's meeting, which will include at least ity among them. Dr. Neelon has concluded that the idea of such a two opportunities for members to visit the Osler Library. list does not appear to be especially practical, given the diversity 24. Future meeting locations and dates. of today's reading tastes even among members of the AOS. Sev- eral members present suggested that, while a circumscribed list of, The 2008 meeting This is scheduled for Boston, Massachusetts, 4- say, 10 books does not appear especially practical, a list might 7 May. John Noble reported on progress made thus far. nevertheless be generated indicating the merits of various books- The 2009 meeting No site has been chosen or strongly recom- that is, "here's why" a book might appeal to medical students. mended. The following suggestions were made: Baltimore, Cin- 18. President's report Jock Murray reported briefly on activities cinnati, Glasgow, , New York City, and St. Louis. during the past year. He noted that four founding members of the (Following the meeting, Pittsburgh was also suggested.) AOS will be present at this year's meeting: William Gibson, Al- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M. bert Henderson, Earl Nation, and Charles Roland. 19. Rob Stone's video project As old business, Marvin Stone re- ported that this video has just recently been completed. It will be Respectfully submitted, shown at this year's annual meeting. 20. Item of New Business. Sandra Moss reported that Allen Weiss Charles S. Bryan has asked why there is a limit to the number of active members (currently, 125). Several members present pointed out that this Secretary-Treasurer issue does not seem especially urgent, since the current number of The Oslerian Volume 8, Issue 3

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Minutes, Annual Meeting, American Osler Society, 2 May 2007

1. Members of the American Osler Society met in the Salon des year's recipient is Dr. Lawrence D. Longo. Saisons in the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Can- 13. AOS Visiting Professorship Committee: John Noble gave the ada. Jock Murray, president, called the meeting to order at 7:40 report, reference being made to the minutes of the Board of Gover- A.M. nors meeting. 2. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Chester R. 14. Ad Hoc Committee on Professionalism: There was no report. Bums, who died in December 2006. 15. Ad Hoc Committee to Compile a Recommended Reading List for 3. Secretary-Treasurer's Report. Dr. Bryan gave this report, refer- Twenty-First Century Medical Students: Frank Neelon gave the re- ence being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors meet- port, reference being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors ing. This report was accepted as information. meeting. 4. WIlliam B. Bean Student Research A ward Committee: Robert 16. Committee appointments: Jock Murray gave the report, reference Kimbrough's report was given in absentia, reference being made being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. to the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. 17. Future meeting sites and dates: Jock MUITaygave the report, 5. John P. McGovern A ward Lectureship Committee: Claus Pier- reference being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors ach reported that this year's recipient is Abraham Verghese. meeting. 6. Nominating Committee: Marvin Stone reported recommenda- 18. Expression ot gratitude to tin;" year's John P. McGovem Lee- tions as follows: for second vice-president, John Noble; and for turer, Abraham Verghese: Jock Murray conveyed his appreciation. three-year terms on the Board of Governors, Robert G. Mennel, Paul S. Mueller, and Steven J. Peitzman. A motion was made, 19. Introduction ofnew members and presentation otcertiticstes: seconded, and approved to accept this slate by acclamation. The following were welcomed into the Society: Darryl Bindschadler, Robert A. Kyle, and Robert 1.Levy. 7. Finance Committee: Paul Dyment's report was given in absen- tia, reference being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors 20. New Business: John Carson moved that the Society go on record meeting. as willing to give financial support to Rob Stone's video project. The motion was seconded and approved by acclamation. 8. Membership Committee: Daniel Morgan gave the report, refer- ence being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors meet- 21. Introduction of new president. Jock Murray introduced Francis ing. Allen Weisse asked why no action had been taken on his pre- A. Neelon as president of the American Osler Society for 2007-2008 vious suggestion that the Society's limitation (cap) on the number and presented him with the latchkey, symbol of office. of active members should be removed. Reference was made to 22. Expression of appreciation to outgoing president: Frank Neelon Article XlI of the Bylaws, which stipulate: "The members of the expressed his appreciation to Jock Murray and presented him with a Society may recommend amendment of these Bylaws by a two- plaque containing a replica of the latchkey and also a gift from the thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Board [of Governors] who Society. are present at any meeting of the Board if notice of the meeting and the proposed amendment has been duly given. Recommenda- 23. Address by Dr. Richard Levin, Dean of the McGill University tions must be passed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members School of Medicine: Pamela Miller introduced Dr. Levin as the re- present at any annual meeting of the Society. A suggestion was cently-arrived dean. Dr. Levin welcomed the AOS to Montreal. He made to Dr. Weiss that he put this request in writing so that it can commented briefly on two issues facing medical education: (1) the be published in The Oslerisn and voted upon at next year's meet- loss of the hospital as a "human classroom" wherein the main focus ing of the Board of Governors and then, if approved by the Board, is on the patient-physician encounter at the bedside; and (2) the lim- at the annual meeting. Dr. Weisse accepted this suggestion. ited contact between today's medical students and the laboratory. These comments were well-received. 9. Historian-Archivist's Report. Charles Roland gave the report, reference being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors 24. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 A.M. meeting.

10. Program Committee: Frank Neelon gave the report, reference Respectfully submitted, being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. 11. Publications Committee: Clyde Partin gave the report, refer- ence being made to the minutes of the Board of Governors meet- Charles S. Bryan ing. He reported that he would still like to obtain copies of papers presented at the annual meeting, either as manuscripts or Power- Secretary-Treasurer Point presentations. 12. Lifetime Achievement A ward Bruce Fye reported that this The American Osler Society has been founded for the purpose of -~AMERICAN OSLER bringing together members ofthe medical and allied professions SOCIETY who are, by their common inspiration, dedicated to memorialize American Osler Society and perpetuate the just and charitable life, the intellectual re- Charles S. Bryan, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer sourcefulness and the ethical example of William Osler (1849- 2 Medical Park, Suite 502 Columbia, SC 29203 1919). This, for the benefit of succeeding generations, that their motives be ever more sound, that their vision be on everbroaden- Phone: 803-540- 1000 ing horizons, and that they sail not as Sir Thomas Browne's Ark, Fax: 803-540-1072 Email: [email protected] without oars and without rudder and sails and, therefore, without direction. Spend the last half-hour of the day in communion with the saints of humanity.

WE'RE ON THE WEB!

WWW.AMERICANOSLER.ORG ------local Arrangements for the 2008 Annual Meeting, Boston,May 4-7

John Noble reports that plans continue to come along nicely for the 2008 annual meeting, which will include the following schedule: Sunday, May 4: Literature and Medicine Discussion Group; Board of Governors Meeting Monday, May 5: Evening boat cruise of Boston Harbor Tuesday May 6: Banquet at the Harvard Club, with reception in the Aesculapian Room and din- ner in Harvard Hall There will be both morning and afternoon program sessions on Monday and Tuesday, and a morning session on Wednesday. John is planning a special event in the famed Ether Dome, which will feature a presentation on the history of anesthesia. Members from Georgia are especially Aequanimitas invited, to state their case for the priority of Crawford Long!

Dates and locations for 2009 and 201 0 Annual The Oslerisn is published ap- proximately four times a year by Meetings the American Osler Society, Inc., a non-profit organization. The 2009 meeting is tentatively scheduled for Cleveland, Ohio, April 20-23 (Monday evening Members ofthe American Osler through noon on Thursday). This will be in tandem with the annual meeting of the American Society are encouraged to send Association for the History of Medicine, which is scheduled for Cleveland, April 23-26. news items of interest, including (Cleveland was chosen over other sites after much deliberation, which took into account the de- but by no means limited to their sideratum of holding a meeting equally convenient to members from either coast. St. Louis had personal activities and accom- been the initial choice, but our members there suggested Cleveland on account of the AAHM plishments and accompanied by meeting there.) Our member James Young, who chairs the Division of Medicine at the Cleveland photographs or other illustra- Clinic, will be our local arrangements chair. tions. For distribution otre- prints and other materials of possible interest to AOS mem- The 2010 meeting is scheduled for Rochester, Minnesota, April 25 -28. This will again be in bers, please send 180 copies. tandem with the AAHM meeting. Your ideas for The Oslerisn are of course most welcome! Direct all correspondence by mail, isx, or e-mail to the Secretary- Treasure]: