title: [William Osler and the 'chloroforming' of men over 60: a media outcry in 1905].
abstract: Sir William Osler (1849-1919) was one of the most charismatic physicians of his generation in the English-speaking world. In 1905, in a light-hearted farewell speech at the Johns Hopkins University before leaving for Oxford, U.K., he discussed the relative uselessness of men over 60. He facetiously referred to a novel in which men above this age retired for a year of contemplation, after which they were peacefully 'chloroformed'. Osler's words were reported out of context by American newspapers and he had to put up with much indignant protest.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Neurologie, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Gijn
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nieuwkamp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media / Q000266:history; D012179:Retirement / Q000266:history; D014481:United States