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"Adventurous Career." Dr. Sigerist admits with pride that he has had "an adventurous career." Born in Paris in 1891. he moved at an early age to Zurich, Switzerland, later went to the University there. He also studied in England and Germany. When he was 14 he decided to become an Orientalist, ordered an Arabic grammar from an astounded bookseller, and rose an hour early every morning to plough through Arabic verbs. Then he plunged eagerly into Hebrew, Syriac, Persian, Chinese. His career as an Orientalist came to an end when his teachers wanted him to specialize. "All my life I have avoided specialization," says Henry Sigerist. He went into science, then medicine, and practiced obstetrics, then studied experimental pharmacology.
After the War he thought he would be a country doctor in a Swiss valley. "I would love my valley," he said, "and keep it in order." But it dawned on him that a valley in Switzerland was too narrow for his ambitions, and he returned to the limitless world of scholarship. He has traveled in almost every European country, has studied their medical systems, histories, social systems.
In Baltimore he spends most of his time at the Institute, on the third floor of the granite and limestone Welch Medical Library. Tucked among his books are large files of notes for a three-volume series on the history of Latin medical literature in the early Middle Ages, which Dr. Sigerist began 16 years ago. In a wheeled filing cabinet, called the "tea wagon" are notes for a definitive four-volume History of Medicine (he hopes to publish the first volume next year), and a two-volume Sociology of Medicine.
To the lecture hall on the third floor go hundreds of enthusiastic students during the week from the schools of Medicine, Hygiene and Public Health. Three steps lead up to the lecturer's oaken platform, and a hand railing stands next to the steps. It was built for Founder Welch, who was so rotund that he could not see beyond his middle, had to use the railing for a guide when he came to the edge of the platform and descended the steps. No need for a hand rail has energetic Dr. Sigerist who often takes the steps in one leap. Students enjoy his lively classes, for Dr. Sigerist does not mind expounding his dynamic conception of medical history in hand-to-hand argument. A student once took issue with him, and when Dr. Sigerist asked him to quote his authority the student shouted, "You yourself said so."
"When?" asked Dr. Sigerist.
"Three years ago," answered the student.
"Ah," said Dr. Sigerist, "three years is a long time. I've changed my mind since then."
*Of many foreign systems of health insurance, Dr. Sigerist is critical. For example the English system, under which a doctor receives about $2.25 a year to take care of each insured patient has led to a cheap type of bottle practice, and for the premium he pays, the insured patient receives only general medical care."