Summer 2005
ARTICLES AMA's program for the twenty-first century This year marks a milestone in the 158-year history of the American Medical Association. After several years of research and analysis, the AMA is rolling out a series of action programs that will be more responsive to what physicians tell us they need....
George W. Thorn, M.D.: Medical scientist, educator, humanist George W. Thorn, M.D., was a multitalented physician-researcher. At the age of 27, Thorn and his mentor, Dr. Frank Hartman, were awarded the Gold Medal of the American Medical Association for their preparation of active adrenal extract. Thorn served the final year of a three-year fellowship at Johns Hopkins, and remained there until 19042, when he was appointed professor of Medicine at Harvard and chairman of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. Under his tutelage, a major share of our knowledge of adrenal physiology and disease was developed, as were renal dialysis, and, in association with the Department of Surgery, renal transplantation. Thorn was involved with the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes at its beginning, and steered it through its formative years before retiring as chairman of the board. His third career was with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a life member of the executive committee and a principal advisor in numerous activities. He was still active until his death at age 98. Underlying this remarkable and versatile history was his absolutely unique capacity to deal with people. His immense mark on biomedical science will be permanent.
The doctor's art collection: Paid for by silver The history of Albert Coombes Barnes, Argyrol, and the Barnes Foundation.
Revolutionizing the doctor's black bag: A step to revitalizing primary care in medicine The contents of the "black bag"—the diagnostic tools available to primary care physicians at the bedside-have not changed in over 100 years. Advanced in micro-electronics and biotechnology make it possible to revolutionize the black bag, and thereby to increase dramatically the information available to primary care physicians at the bedside. Handheld ultrasound is a powerful and versatile technology that might be the first component of the new black bag. Modernizing the doctor's black bag could help to revitalize primary care practice by making it more effective and attractive to young doctors.
The clinical eye of Thomas Eakins The careful eye of the realistic artist may at times record clinical associations before they are recognized by the physician. Subluxation of the basal joint of the thumb can be caused by prolonged and recurrent pinching. This can be found in women who have many years of needlework. Over 70 years before this association appeared in the medical literature, it was recorded in a painting by Thomas Eakins. His 1900 portrait of Mary Arthur shows the 76-year-old woman knitting with an unmistakable subluxation of the basal joint of her left thumb.
Sunday morning rounds when the Baptist Church Choir came through
PERSPECTIVES Problem solving: A story for medical educators Sports physicals
POETRY The Cold Facts by a Doctor's Wife Family Practitioner The White Coat Ceremony: A Mentor's Gift Where There's a Will ... Supplemental oxygen Jesus as Doctor A Wounded Child Pale Agnostic Tours Hong Kong |
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