Preface
This is the third volume of the history of internal medicinein World War II. In the preface of the first volume, which contains the reportsof the medical consultants, is recounted the story of the development of theorganization that ultimately produced the history. The early enthusiasticefforts of Brig. Gen. Hugh J. Morgan and Cols. Walter Bauer, John S. Hunt, andFrancis R. Dieuaide to implement its writing were described. At the suggestionof Col. Calvin H. Goddard, MC, former Director, The Historical Unit, U.S. ArmyMedical Service, an Advisory Editorial Board on the History of InternalMedicine, with Dr. Garfield G. Duncan as Chairman, was formed in 1952. Early in1953, an editorial office was established at the Jefferson Medical College ofPhiladelphia, with Dr. W. Paul Havens, Jr., as Editorial Director. Col. JohnBoyd Coates, Jr., MC, succeeded Colonel Goddard as Director of The HistoricalUnit.
In the preface of the second volume, which contains theclinical descriptions of certain infectious diseases, attention is called to thefact that World War II was the first great conflict in which fewer of our troopsdied of infectious diseases than of injuries. Mention was made of the numerousproductive clinical and laboratory investigations initiated by the ArmedForces and by the various civilian commissions working under their aegis.
This volume-the third and last of the series-is apotpourri, with chapters on subjects concerned with infectious diseases, generalmedicine, and dermatology. It is making its appearance 15 years after theformation of the Advisory Editorial Board and 22 years after the end of WorldWar II. Several of those who contributed greatly to the production of thishistory have died. The long lapse of time between the experiences recounted hereand their publication in this volume does not detract from their value orinterest. Although most of the information has long since appeared in ourmedical journals, volume III serves to bring it together in its properrelationship with place and time in history. Of necessity, there is overlappingof the material contained in this book and in volume I. However, in contrast tothe more general aspects of various medical problems described by the medicalconsultants in the first volume, the chapters in this book, like those in volumeII, were based on the observations of many medical officers and were written byphysicians directly concerned with the responsibilities for the care of patientsand the clinical investigations of their diseases.
The editor wishes to express his sincere thanks to themedical officers who made the material for these chapters available and to thecontributors who have written them. In addition, thanks are due to Dr. Duncan
and the entire Advisory Editorial Board for their constantsupport and to Colonel Coates and his successors, Col. Arnold L. Ahnfeldt, MC,and Col. Robert S. Anderson, MC, for their many courtesies and vigorousassistance. In particular, appreciation is expressed again to Miss Eleanor S. Cooper, whose tireless and painstaking attention to thepreparation and editing of most of these manuscripts was an invaluable aid inthe compilation of this history.
The editor and the authors are also greatly indebted to Mr.E. L. Hamilton, Director, Medical Statistics Agency, Office of The SurgeonGeneral, and Mr. A. J. McDowell, Chief, and Mr. M. C. Rossoff, Assistant Chief,Statistical Analysis Branch, Medical Statistics Agency, who not only providedessential data but also checked and reviewed all statistical informationcontained herein.
Finally, grateful acknowledgment is made to Mrs. Rebecca L.Levine, Chief, Editorial Section, Editorial Branch, The Historical Unit, whoperformed the final publications editing and prepared the index for this volume.
W. PAUL HAVENS, Jr., M.D.
