Inscribed presentation copy of the most important medical biography. Fourth printing of this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of one great physician by another. Presentation copy inscribed from the author 'to John and Nancy Morton with affectionate regards of Harry Cushing, Rochester, October 25 1937'. Morton was one of Cushing's students, and 'followed Cushing to the Brigham [and Women's Hospital, Boston] after completing medical school at Hopkins. Morton also served with Cushing during the war, and Cushing assisted with his first case... Morton served as the first chairman of surgery at the University of Rochester, New York, where he performed the department's first neurosurgical procedures' (Catalino, 'Exemplary Mentorship in Action: Harvey Cushing's trainees from 1912 to 1919, Journal of Neurosurgery, vol. 134, issue 2., 2020).

The subject of this biography, William Osler (1849-1919), was one of the most influential physicians of all time. After studying in Germany he introduced to the US the emerging concept of internal medicine. 'What differentiated internal medicine from other medical disciplines was a deep understanding of the basic sciences (such as physiology, bacteriology and pathology) that were emerging at the time, mastery of physiology and the pathophysiologic basis of disease, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the care of patients. This approach was significantly different from existing methods of practice that tended to involve primarily observation of the external manifestations of disease and provision of therapeutic interventions based upon untested theories or traditional treatments' (American College of Physicians biography).

Osler also revolutionised medical education. He insisted that students touch and interact with real patients, and he established the system of residencies and bedside teaching that is now standard. He was also famous for his skills as a diagnostician, 'a diligent and astute observer of the clinical aspects of patient care, as well as of patients and physicians as they engage in the process of medical care. He engaged patients as active participants in the diagnostic process, spending significant time at the bedside and stressing the history and physical examination (with at least 4 clinical findings or conditions bearing his name) to provide essential clinical information' (ACP).

The author, Harvey Cushing (1869-1939), is considered the founder of neurosurgery. He operated 'on several hundred patients a year with remarkable results and in addition he was relentless in his recording of patient histories and continued his careful attention to the details and documentation of each surgery' throughout his career. (Cushing Center biography). He also made important contributions to bacteriology, and was the first to scientifically describe Cushing's disease.

Fourth printing, presentation copy inscribed by the author; 2 vols 8vo; frontispiece & 19 plates to each volume, Harvey Cushing stamps in glassine envelope loosely inserted, very faint toning and a few small, isolated areas of spotting but overall contents clean; original blue cloth, titles to spines gilt, spines slightly rolled, cloth a little rubbed and marked, very good condition; 685, 728pp.

Hook & Norman (The Norman Library of Science and Medicine), 552.