Other Books: The Citadel by A.J. Cronin - 4 stars

[Joy D]

The Citadel by A.J. Cronin - 4 stars - My Review

Set in the 1920s in a Welsh mining town, protagonist Andrew Manson is a newly qualified Doctor of Medicine. He is idealistic and eager to make his mark. He wants to change the traditional ineffective methods and use the latest science in his treatments. He becomes fascinated with analyzing the source of miners’ lung diseases. As he moves upward in his career, he loses his idealism and becomes more interested in accumulating wealth. His wife grows disillusioned, wondering what happened to the man she married.

This book explores ethics in the medical profession. It portrays doctors of varying competence. Some keep up their skills and others become wedded to traditional remedies. Some compete vigorously with other doctors. The story contains descriptions of diagnoses, medical procedures, and surgeries. Published in 1937, this book was helpful in pointing out changes needed in the UK’s health care system.