SOCIETY AND MEDICAL RESEARCH

A working sociologist presents a rounded view of medicine as social science. He traces the change in its place in the public eye, its shifting relationship to other sciences. A brief historical survey -- the role of the university in the old days; of the hospital today; the shift from rural to urban and to industrial medicine and the problems each presented. The challenge of the slums, with the slow advances in housing and sanitation. The contradictions in this country of superabundance of food- and undernourished human beings. The contribution made by medicine to society, against prejudice and ignorance. Some of the blocks to progress, to legislation; hesitant compliance with laws finally passed; opposition to group health, government insurance and on, inside and outside the profession. Not inspired but good common sense. Summa on of a subject that should be of interest to many.