The Relation of Pathology to Practice

With the swinging of the pendulum in the science of medicine has come the fashion of neglecting pathology, the pathology of the type called, in the olden days, morbid anatomy. This neglect is shown in many ways: in a diminution in the volume of published work; in the lessened number of necropsies performed, and in the smaller number of men who are actively interested in the subject. It may be that the great days of Rokitansky, of Virchow and of Cohnheim have passed never to return; but it is more likely that the next swing of the pendulum will bring with it a renewed interest in the study of the anatomic changes which accompany disease.
Source: JAMA - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research