Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Dr. Joseph Bell

  • To see versus to observe: Why Sherlock Holmes could have been an ophthalmologist

    Rida KhanNew York, United States In “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first short story within his renowned Sherlock Holmes series, the titular character engages in a lighthearted battle of wits with his companion and right hand, Dr. Watson. After Sherlock explains his process of deduction, a rather chagrined Dr. Watson states, “When…

  • Drs. Joseph Bell, Arthur Conan Doyle, William Osler, and the method of Zadig

    Howard FischerUppsala, Sweden “The whole of medicine is observation.”– William Osler, M.D. M. de Voltaire, the pen name of François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778), was an Enlightenment historian, philosopher, and writer. He opposed France’s absolute monarchy and the power of the church. He wrote 2,000 books and pamphlets, was imprisoned twice, and was once exiled to England…

  • Enlightenment from Sherlock Holmes on COVID-19 associated perilous boredom

    Daniel GelfmanIndianapolis, Indiana, United States Boredom can useful. It can motivate people to do great things. It can also be dangerous by increasing the risk of depression and the risk of participation in unhealthy activities.1 It is an emotional state of weariness through lack of interest that can result in the “pursuit of novel (even negative)…

  • Joseph Bell, supreme diagnostician

    The professor produced a vial filled with a bitter amber-colored liquid and asked the medical students to dip a finger in it and taste it, so he could determine how many of them had developed their powers of observation. The students grimaced but did as they were told, and the professor likewise dipped his finger…