Letter to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir: I received a reprint of Robert H. Rakal's article, published in Perspectives, Summer 1988, "Modern Version of Osier's Bedside Library," in the package of material from the American Osier Society. I enjoyed it immensely and have now added a few titles to my list of the books yet to be read "as soon as I have time, but preferably sooner." At my age, my estimate is that I have time for only 5075 more! Along with many Oslerians, I am devoted to Sir Thomas Browne, whose Religio was Osier's comes viae vitaeque. I must have eight or ten copies, none (save possibly one) especially notable or valuable, but one pocket-sized enough to save me from ever running out of printed matter! Sometimes I exchange it for a small, comfortable copy of Faust. And now, to the point of this letter: I know, I believe, the titles of all that the physician from Norwich published, and unless I've missed, or the "plasma has set in the periganglionic spaces," "Clergy in a County Churchyard" is not one of them. Indeed, I suspect that the Oslerian who gave Dr. Rakal that one wrote badly, and undoubtedly was trying for "Elegy in a Country Churchyard" (which should be "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"). And he had his colors wrong too—not Browne, but Gray! Who of us is not "to dumb Forgetfulness a prey, . . ."? I'm sure you've heard all about this too many times already; forgive me for adding to the burden! Robert U. Massey School ofMedicine Farmington, Connecticut 06032 Permission to reprint a letter printed in this section may be obtained only from the author. 312 Letter to the Editor ...