Oxford Dictionary of Medical Quotations

Issac Starr –?

Too much emphasis on standards is a cause of
decay; often it is a psychological defense
mechanism set up by persons no longer
productive.
Journal of Clinical Investigation: ()

Paul Starr –

Professor of Sociology, Harvard University

Modern medicine is one of those extraordinary
works of reason: an elaborate system of
specialised knowledge, technical procedures, and
rules of behaviour.
The Social Transformation of American MedicineIntroduction,
p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York ()

The medical profession has had an especially
persuasive claim to authority. Unlike the law and
the clergy, it enjoys close bonds with modern
science, and at least for most of the last century,
scientific knowledge has held a privileged status in
the hierarchy of belief.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York
()

But medicine is also, unmistakably, a world of
power where some are more likely to receive the
rewards of reason than are the others.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York
()

In America, no one group has held so dominant a
position in this new world of rationality and
power as has the medical profession.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York
()

If the medical profession were merely a
monopolistic guild, its position would be much less
secure than it is. The basis of its high income and
status, as I have argued all along, is its authority,
which arises from lay deference and
institutionalized forms of dependence.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York
()

Probably no event in American history testifies
more graphically to public acceptance of scientific
methods than the voluntary participation of
millions of American families in the 1954 trials of
the Salk vaccine.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York
()

Professional autonomy has been protected by the
institutional autonomy of hospitals. In the
multihospital systems, centralized planning,
budgeting, and personnel decisions will deprive
physicians of much of the influence they are
accustomed to exercise over institutional policy.
The Social Transformation of American Medicine
Introduction, p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, NewYork
()

A corporate sector in health care is also likely to

aggravate inequalities in access to health care.

Profit-making enterprises are not interested in

treating those who cannot pay. The voluntary

hospital may not treat the poor the same as the rich,

but they do treat them and often treat them well.

The Social Transformation of American MedicineIntroduction,

p. , Paul Starr. Basic Books, New York ()

Sir Richard Steele –

Irish-born English essayist and dramatist

There are so few who can grow old with a good

grace.

The Spectator

Gertrude Stein –

US author

We, living now, are always to ourselves young

men and women.

The Making of AmericansIntroduction

John Steinbeck –

US novelist

The medical profession is unconsciously irritated

by lay knowledge.

East of EdenCh. ()

Laurence Sterne –

Irish-born English writer and churchman

There are worse occupations in the world than

feeling a woman’s pulse.

A Sentimental Journey

I live in a constant endeavour to fence against the

infirmities of ill health, and other evils of life, by

mirth.

Tristam ShandyDedication

Imagine to yourself a little, squat, uncourtly figure

of a Doctor Slop, of about four feet and a half

perpendicular height, with a breadth of back and

a sesquipedality of belly, which might have done

honour to a serjeant in the horse-guards.

Tristam ShandyVol. II, Ch. 

Sciences may be learned by rote, but Wisdom not.

Tristam Shandy

People who are always taking care of their health

are like misers, who are hoarding a treasure

which they have never spirit enough to enjoy.

Attributed

Robert Louis Stevenson –

Scottish writer

He sows hurry and reaps indigestion.

An Apology for Idlers

Even if the doctor does not give you a year, even if

he hesitates about a month, make one brave push

and see what can be accomplished in a week.

Virginibus PuerisqueCh. 

It is better to lose health like a spendthrift than to

waste it like a miser.

Virginibus PuerisqueCh. 

 ·    