The Osler Societies: a qualitative and quantitative portrait.

Over 700 presentations have been given at the meetings of the American Osler Society (AOS) since its inception in 1970. Fully half of these have treated various aspects of Osler's personal and professional life. Many have dealt with Osler's specific contributions to an array of medical specialties.

Constructing history in biography: a symposium on William Osler: a life in medicine. Introduction.

William Osler's medical career spanned two centuries and three nations: Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Though not an especially noted scientist, he was an innovative teacher, a professional organizer, and mentor and colleague to many grateful--indeed, sometimes adoring--students and colleagues, some of whom became influential in the Anglo-Saxon medical world. Since his death, Osler has been the subject of an enormous body of literature, fed by numerous Osler societies throughout the world.

The Osler Club of London, 1928-38: young medical gentlemen, their heroes, liberal education, books, and other matters.

This study focuses on the interpretation of the Oslerian legacy reflected in the activities and intellectual emphases of the Osler Club of London during its first 10 years. It argues that the founders and early members of the Club were neophytes in a medical elite, pursuing ideals which were congenial to a subgroup of that elite and in which the Club members had been raised and educated. These ideals may be summed up in the expression "the nineteenth-century, British medical gentleman.

Dialyser reuse: a study in applied medical ethics.

A dialysis unit's introduction of automated recycling of dialysers is described. The responses of the staff and the patients are outlined, along with the pertinent ethical issues. Suggestions regarding the educational processes necessary with any innovation in long-term medical care are discussed.

Consent to dialyzer reuse: is it ethically necessary?

It is argued that consent by the patient to reuse dialyzers which have been mechanically cleansed is not required provided adequate standards of practice and safety are utilized. Based on medical benefits, administrative order and cost saving we propose that specific informed consent for such reuse should not be mandatory and that it could at times be unhelpful, both to care givers and recipients.