Pestilence, Insanity, and Trees

!Internist and clinician-historian John M. Harris Jr. does a masterful job illuminating Smith's under-appreciated story. Stephen Smith was a prominent and forward-thinking surgeon whose contributions to our field are noteworthy and innovative; however, Smith deserves even greater acclaim for his pioneering and influential leadership in the fields of public health and treatment of the mentally ill. This is an important, well-written narrative which weaves together the multiple facets of a unique individual and cements Smith's place in medical history."" Michael C. Trotter, MD, FACS, Greenville, MS, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, Chair, Medical History Group, Mississippi State Medical Assn, member American College of Surgeons History and Archives Group. “…we are fortunate to have such a vivid and substantive account of Stephen Smith’s life and career. May it be a catalyst for continued research and interpretation of these absorbing aspects of the social history of medicine.” Drew Bourn PhD,MLIS, Historical Curator at Stanford Medical History Center. The W a t e r m a r k Volume XLVII Number 3 (Summer 2024) “This biography of New York surgeon and social activist, Stephen Smith (1823-1922), is presented in an attractive hardback format by the author who is an internal medicine physician in Tucson, Arizona. The short chapters, together with numbered references, is especially pleasing.” Christopher Gardner-Thorpe, British Society for the History of Medicine (June 2024)