Recent Advances in Medical Science: A Study of Their Social and Economic Implications

This is the Rede Lecture, delivered before the University of Cambridge in April 1939, beautifully printed and bound for permanent literary collections. Brief mention of the trend of scientific advance is followed by a study of the effects of medical discovery on social life and also on hospital and other practice. Most significant is the chapter on medical knowledge as the limiting factor in public health schemes. Here the author says that the whole position of state action in health matters wants clarifying; sentiment and public appeal, associated with particular lines of action, ought to be eliminated, and each proposition ought to be considered only from the point of view of the results to be expected from administrative schemes in terms of saving lives and affording increased efficiency to individuals. Dr. Mellanby is convinced that medical science has almost "shot its bolt" as far as its beneficial effect on the