Dedication

We dedicate the eighth edition of this text to our colleague, Henry M. Seidel, MD, who passed away in 2010. For seven editions, the text has been known as Mosby’s Physical Examination Handbook. In Henry’s honor and memory, we have renamed it Seidel’s Physical Examination Handbook. Henry spent all of his professional life (except for time served in the U.S. Army), from college through his appointment as Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, at The Johns Hopkins University. He received numerous awards and a named scholarship at The Johns Hopkins University, testimony of his service at the bedside, in the lecture and seminar rooms, and as Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Medicine. As an original author, we are indebted to him as he contributed greatly to the initial text design as well as to its ongoing development. He understood the importance of communication, sensitivity, and connection with patients, and he was able to share these concepts during the initial book development. He often reminded us that human interaction, sensitivity during history taking, and excellent physical examination skills enable health professionals to understand a patient and develop a healing relationship.

This text was one of the earliest collaborations of a physician and nurse author team, in this case to develop a text targeted to students of medicine, nursing, and other allied health professions. Henry’s vision for this text meshed with those of the nurse authors, as well as that of William Benedict, MD, the fourth original author. Through Henry’s leadership and collaboration, the authors were able to shape this text and share these important values with students. Henry also wisely planned to have the text’s vision remain on course by identifying Barry, John, and Rosalyn, the current physician authors, to continue that vision. We hope we have fulfilled his vision with this edition.