Two Scottish Tales of Medical Compassion is a collection of two beloved short stories, "Rab and his Friends" and "A Doctor of the Old School," and a brand new history of the Edinburgh School of Medicine, all of which emphasize the importance of compassion and humanity in the medical field.

"Rab and his Friends" is the story of a young apprentice who watches a grueling surgery and is struck by the kindness of the attending physician. "A Doctor of the Old School" is about a Highland country doctor who devotes his life to caring for others. Both reflect the type of doctor that was trained at the Edinburgh School and the ideals taught there. The commentary by Dr. Raffensperger, "A Brief History of the Edinburgh School of Medicine," not only gives perspective for the stories and a background of the authors and characters, but also emphasizes how the Edinburgh principles of compassion furthered the science of medicine. These stories and the lessons they teach are valuable tools for any modern physician to rely on.