In the early nineteenth century modern medical journalism was created by a London surgeon, Thomas Wakley, founder of the
medical journal The Lancet. Wakley's goal was to reform as well as to inform, but education was the basic fare. As doctor and medical coroner, he fought medical quackery and injustice. Wakley also served as a member of the British parliament for almost two decades. The story of his life was out of print for three-quarters of a century, but is now available again to remind all who publish in journals what we owe to the combative and innovative Thomas Wakley. |
