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Author(s) -
Arnold Peter C
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja14.00605
Subject(s) - citation , general practice , library science , computer science , medicine , family medicine
TO THE EDITOR: Just as the juxtaposed centenary of the First World War is creating intense national and international interest, the centenary of the Medical Journal of Australia is an excellent opportunity to delve into the history of Australia’s health. The Journal has recently published historical articles and photographs, often informing readers about forgotten stories. It is the national repository of invaluable information about health care and medical research, with related editorials, medical biographies and much more. While articles selected by the Journal’s editorial staff undoubtedly raise interest, much greater scope for historical and genealogical research would be satisfi ed if all issues of the Journal were digitised. Early issues of the printed Journal are accessible in major libraries and universities in capital cities, but these are much less readily available in new medical schools, to international scholars and for the general community. More than 200 years ago, the fi rst issue of the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery (now New England Journal of Medicine) had as its fi rst article “Remarks on angina pectoris” by John Warren.1 This and all subsequent articles are now available online. Online access to other major medical journals dates back to issues published from October 1823 for The Lancet, October 1840 for the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (now BMJ) and July 1883 for the Journal of the American Medical Association. Here in the Antipodes, selected articles published in the Medical Journal of Australia since January 1996 are available online. Since January 2002, whole issues have been available online to subscribers. Complete issues of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery of Australia and other parties. Unfortunately, we have yet to fi nd an affordable solution. Philanthropic funding has been sought but has so far been unavailable. We call out to all potential donors to extend their assistance to ensure this valuable resource survives well beyond its fi rst century.