Some Medical Aspects of Old Age

Being the Linacre lecture, 1922, St. John's college, Cambridge

Rolleston

Some Medical Aspects of Old Age: Being the Linacre Lecture, 1922, St. John's College, Cambridge is a seminal work by Sir George Henry Savage, a distinguished physician and authority on mental and physical health in later life. Delivered as the prestigious Linacre Lecture at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1922, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the physiological, psychological, and social changes that accompany aging. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and contemporary research, Savage examines the common ailments and diseases prevalent among the elderly, such as arteriosclerosis, dementia, and the decline of sensory faculties. He discusses the interplay between mental and physical health, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, preventive care, and the role of environment and lifestyle in promoting longevity and well-being. Savage also addresses the societal attitudes toward old age, advocating for greater empathy, respect, and support for the aging population. He explores the challenges faced by both elderly individuals and their caregivers, offering practical advice on maintaining mental acuity, physical activity, and social engagement. The lecture is notable for its humane perspective, blending scientific rigor with compassion and insight into the lived experiences of older adults. Some Medical Aspects of Old Age remains a valuable historical document, reflecting early 20th-century medical thought while offering timeless observations on the universal process of aging.

Table of contents

• SOME MEDICAL ASPECTS OF OLD AGE
• PREFACE
• CONTENTS
• ILLUSTRATIONS
• I INTRODUCTION
• II DURATION OF LIFE
• III ONSET OF OLD AGE
• IV FACTORS INFLUENCING LONGEVITY
• V THE CAUSES OF SENESCENCE AND GENERAL ATROPHY: LIMITED VITALITY OF CELLS—INFLUENCE OF THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS—METCHNIKOFF’S PATHOLOGICAL EXPLANATION SENESCENCE AND CARCINOMA
• VI NORMAL STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN OLD AGE
• VII PHYSIOLOGY OF OLD AGE
• VIII THE DESCRIPTION OF OLD AGE IN THE TWELFTH CHAPTER OF ECCLESIASTES
• IX DISTINCTION BETWEEN HEALTHY AND MORBID OLD AGE
• X DISEASES IN AND OF OLD AGE
• FOOTNOTES
• INDEX
• Transcriber’s Notes