Book 9780461313499

"Physic And Physicians" by Henry Renshaw is a nineteenth-century biographical survey defending the dignity and usefulness of the medical profession. Through light biographical sketches and anecdotes rather than full scholarly biographies, the work traces medicine's antiquity and progress, emphasizing empirical observation, anatomy, and natural philosophy as the basis of true medical advance. Set largely in London with references to Chelsea Hospital, St Bartholomew’s, the College of Physicians, and other medical centers, it profiles eminent physicians and surgeons, from celebrated eccentrics to esteemed clinicians. The book blends praise, moral exhortation, and subtle satire to illuminate medicine as a noble, public enterprise while defending against charges of irreligion or quackery. Recurring themes include the social life of medicine, the dangers of credulity, the importance of pedagogy and clinical teaching (as exemplified by Abernethy), and the exploration of professional pathways—emigration, military and colonial service, and institutional reform. The portrait gallery culminates in discussions of how medicine should be taught, practiced, and regulated.