Premium
William Osler's Legacy and his Contribution to Haematology
Author(s) -
Stone Marvin J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04615.x
Subject(s) - medicine , history of medicine , classics , humanism , pediatrics , family medicine , history , philosophy , theology
William Osler (1849–1919) is generally regarded as one of the greatest and most admired physicians in the history of medicine. An outstanding clinician, he possessed extraordinary charm which inspired many pupils. Osler stressed bedside teaching, hard work, medical history and lifelong learning. As Professor of Medicine at four institutions in three countries, he exerted a profound influence on medical education. A prolific writer, his textbook became the most popular and widely read treatise on medicine in the world. His humanistic philosophy was reflected in all aspects of his life. Osler blended the art and science of medicine perhaps better than anyone else and remains a valuable role model for students and physicians. Osler’s early experience with the microscope as a schoolboy led to important contributions to haematology. He was among the first to recognize platelets as the third formed element of the blood; he documented their importance in thrombosis. His early studies on pernicious anaemia have been largely neglected, but his thorough descriptions of polycythaemia vera and hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia popularized both entities. Most significant of all, Osler brought the microscope to the clinic and emphasized the value of examination of the blood in clinical diagnosis.