THIS BOOK owes very little to the written word. The opinions found in it are my own, and I learned many of them from my teachers by word of mouth. Often I have modified what I was taught or extended it. In the course of a career one picks up many tips, and it is difficult to be certain of the origin of each one. The teacher who had the most profound effect on me was Geoffrey Evans. His views on the doctor–patient relationship and on history-taking were my guide. The things he said about physical examination have not had as much effect on me as did the teachings of Paul Wood, who most influenced me in that field. Neither of them left a lasting impression on my views about treatment; not treatment in particular, but advice and treatment for patients in general. Here my main influence was William Evans. I had not realised this division until I came to write the book, and found that the majority of references to each teacher was in different sections. Malcolm McIlroy influenced my attitude to test and Wallace Brigden is another man whose teaching has influenced my attitudes. There are many others, both teachers and colleagues, who have influenced me, and I am deeply grateful to them all.
Like most books which are manuals rather than treatises, the book contains no references. As I have said, it is based on the spoken rather than the written tradition and although there are studies on these matters, it did not seem worth citing “evidence” that patients prefer it if you are nice to them or if your stethoscope is warm.
A number of friends have been very generous with criticism and suggestions for the book. Foremost among these is Mike Matthews, who really should have been coauthor. He made innumerable suggestions and criticisms which I have tried to meet. Ivor Gabe, Alan Grimes, Zarrina Kurtz, John Lipscombe, Charles Nicol and John Scopes have helped me greatly. I am indebted to Jonathan Hazel, with whom I often discussed my views and who suggested that I write them down.
Finally I am grateful to Jane Farrell of Springer’s editorial staff for helpful suggestions, and to Mrs. Barbara Issom who typed the manuscript.