Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this excellent book by the U.S. Army provides a history of the foundations of Army medicine and the modern Army medical department.

This is a lesson about constancy and change. Constancy in the sense of commitment, persistency, and permanence. Change in terms of continual evolution and growth. Surgeon General Joseph Lovell established the US Army Medical Department on strong and uncompromising codes of military and medical conduct, ethical principles, and educational standards. Yet he and, more importantly, his 19th-century successors never let the constancy of this foundation inhibit the necessary, and inevitable, evolution and growth of the organization. Indeed, the constancy of its foundational ethos not only allowed, but arguably directed and enhanced, the military, medical, and social evolution of the department over its first 82 years.

Joseph Lovell would be stunned by the evolution and growth of his department; the wide range of medical, surgical, nursing, and ancillary specialties and therapeutic modalities; the comprehensive evacuation and logistical capabilities; and the gender, ethnic, and religious diversity that comprises our department today. But he absolutely would recognize that his foundational principles and standards continue to validate the US Army Medical Department in the 21st century.

This book tells a story of both constancy and change: how Lovell and his 19th century successors led the nation and the Army to expect, and even insist upon, the highest standards from Army Medicine. It is, as well, a lesson for Army Medicine to carry forward.