The State of Medicine: A Critical Review

As a young general practitioner new to the field I recall how stimulated and excited I was by reading Dr John W. Todd's papers in the Lancet some 20-30 years ago. It was as though a lot of dust had been blown away and I was able for once to see the situation of medicine much more clearly. He became one of my medical heroes to add to John Ryle, Henry Cohen and Rene Dubois - all of whom have influenced my own approach to medical care and caring of my patients. Now in 1981, it is a pleasure to write an introductory foreword to this book. The State oj Medicine represents the clear and honest thoughts of a most unusual person. Until his retirement John W. Todd was a general physician in Farnham, Surrey. He was relatively unknown to the medical profession outside Surrey apart from his occasional writings. The ten chapters show the build-up of wide experience and deep philosophy that accumulated during his years in practice. I find that I am as stimulated and excited now reading them, as I was 20-30 years ago. I may not agree with all that he writes and others likewise may disagree completely - but I commend the work as an invigorating experience.