An extensive, enlightening anthology of medicine, its history, actuality and implications to society, which includes some of the best writing in specialized fields, by authorities, accessible to the general reader without popularization. War and medicine; progress in World War II in surgery; blood; pathology; biochemistry; bacteria and viruses; immunities; glands; epidemics; cancer; growth; old age; anesthesia and antisepsis; nutrition; alcoholism; heredity and mental disease; preventive medicine and psychomatic medicine; psychiatry; public health; the Mayo Clinic, and so on. Able editing and selection make this an impressive introduction to present day medicine.