Abstract
I AM sorry that Prof. Khalil has demolished the romantic tradition of Clot Bey, which for many years I had firmly believed to be the true story of the founding of the Cairo School of Medicine. In extenuation of my lapse in giving a new and wider circulation to this myth, I should explain that the brief statement referred to summarised my recollection of an elaborate and very circumstantial story given me years ago, when the late Dr. Sandwith was writing his history, by men who seemed to speak with intimate knowledge and authority. I am willing to admit that the British members of the staff of the Cairo School of Medicine in those days included several raconteurs of quite exceptional inventiveness, but I never had any reason to assume that this narrative was not true. The whole point of the story, as I heard it, was to emphasise the argument that the high efficiency of a medical school such as Clot Bey had created in Cairo was due to his administrative ability and judgment in selecting the right men for his staff.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
[Letters to Editor]. Nature 121, 747 (1928). https://doi.org/10.1038/121747b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/121747b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.