Man's Redemption of Man: A Lay Sermon

"Man's Redemption of Man: A Lay Sermon" by Sir William Osler is a medical address delivered in the early 20th century, specifically in 1910. This profound publication serves as a lay sermon addressing the relationship between humanity, suffering, and the advances made in medicine and science towards alleviating physical afflictions. Osler's work reflects on the complex interplay of hope and despair in the human experience while emphasizing the transformative power of scientific progress in healthcare. In this sermon, Osler discusses the historical context of human suffering, the evolution of medical knowledge, and the eventual triumphs achieved through scientific inquiry. He highlights key advancements, such as anesthesia, antiseptic techniques, and vaccinations, which have revolutionized medicine and drastically reduced suffering and mortality from infectious diseases. By invoking poignant imagery and philosophical reflections, he illustrates how humanity's pursuit of knowledge and compassion has resulted in a new hope for a healthier future. Ultimately, Osler calls for sustained commitment to public health and moral responsibility, urging the audience to engage actively in the effort to eradicate disease and improve the human condition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir William Osler, 1st Baronet, was a Canadian physician and one of the "Big Four" founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Osler created the first residency program for specialty training of physicians. He has frequently been described as the Father of Modern Medicine and one of the "greatest diagnosticians ever to wield a stethoscope". In addition to being a physician he was a bibliophile, historian, author, and renowned practical joker. He was passionate about medical libraries and medical history, having founded the History of Medicine Society, at the Royal Society of Medicine, London. He was also instrumental in founding the Medical Library Association of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Association of Medical Librarians along with three other people, including Margaret Charlton, the medical librarian of his alma mater, McGill University. He left his own large history of medicine library to McGill, where it became the Osler Library.