Sir William Osler end? You mention him a lot." I did not answer.
(Slide) The second week after entering the School of Medicine of Duke University, I was called to the office of the Dean, Wilburt C. Davison, who was one of the last Americans with Osler at Oxford. My anxiety disappeared when he said, "I hear that you read fast, can translate German and have a college minor in literature."
'"That is true sir," I replied.
He continued: "I have an opportunity for you which will allow you to make a little money and learn a lot about medicine. I need abstracting of the pediatric literature from English and German articles and other help with correcting my recent edition of The Cornpleat Pediatrician." I eagerly accepted the task, and my life was greatly enriched by this opportunity.
(Slide)
There were many pictures on his walls, but I noticed that there were no diplomas displayed. He observed my interest and pointed out the portrait of Sir William Osler and others from Oxford and Johns Hopkins. From that day till his death in 1972, nearly every time that I was with him he spoke of Osler. He might say, "Osler said this," or "Osler did this." "What would Osler think about this?" My wife also said that he always spoke of Osler in every presentation that she heard him give. These conversations were not always about medicine.
(Slide)
My wife gave me A Way of Life for my first birthday present after we were married in 1953. I will say more about this later. (Slide) Her gift to me the next Cnnstmas was The Life of Sir William Osler in two volumes by Harvey Cushing. I had two weeks' vacation to enjoy and appreciate my gift.
