SOM Library: Charles S. Bryan History of Medicine Room: About Dr. Bryan

Additional Featured Works by Dr. Bryan

For Goodness Sake:

The Seven Basic Virtues

Dr. Bryan takes the reader on a fascinating journey, from ancient to modern times as he describes the seven basic virtues. He begins with the four cardinal virtues : prudence (wisdom), justice, temperance, and fortitutde (courage), followed by the three theological or transcendent virtues : faith, hope and charity. One might think that these topics are boring, out of date or should be reserved only for the true philosopher. Dr. Bryan masterfully discusses each virtue in an easy to read manner, as if you are sitting around a fire place in his living room simply sharing a friendly conversation......This book is a must read for those who aspire to be virtuous.

Richard Colgan, M.D.
Professor
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Celts, Picts, and Scots

Customs and traditions celebrated by Scottish societies throughout the world represent an extreme form of "Celticness" which, according to many, reflects a highly fictionalized and romanticized interpretation of the past. Who were the Celts? Who were the original Scots? How can anyone keep straight the convoluted history of Scotland between the union of Picts and Scots in 843 A.D. and the "end of auld lang syne" with the last Highland clearances a millennium later? This brief overview was written especially for 1) the members of the St. Andrew's Society of the City of Columbia, in gratitude for the honor of serving as their 32nd president; 2) members of the American Osler Society, in anticipation of an expedition to the Highlands during the spring of 2003; and 3) myself, as closure to much reading and many book purchases seeking to answer the above questions.

Charles S. Bryan (2002)

Medical Ethics and Professionalism

This manual was originally designed for third and fourth year medical students and for residents with the expectation that they would, at least from time to time, carry it in the pockets of their laboratory coats as a text and reference manual. The basic principles of medical ethics and professionalism are taught during the first and second years of medical school, but the real challenges begin when trainees enter the wards and clinics. While hardly pretending to hold all the answers, this manual attempts to answer the question: how can one best reinforce and enrich principles of ethics and professionalism when learners are preoccupied with the intricacies of patient care in a complex and sometimes confusing health care environment?

A Hound Dog in Anderson:

and Other Essays on Medicine and Life

This unusual and interesting collection of editorials was written by Dr. Bryan during his 31 year tenure as editor of The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association. It was a period that saw many changes in medicine and society and these editorials reflect in a remarkably insightful way the consequences of these changes. They also demonstrate the author's grasp of lessons from history and philosophy as they may be applied to the numerous problems attendant upon scientific advances that sometimes boggle the mind of even the reasonably well-educated. They are for the most part not "editorials" at all in the usual sense but rather short essays on a variety of topics of contemporary, historical, or philosophical import.

Selected Works by Dr. Charles S. Bryan

Asylum Doctor by Charles S. Bryan
Call Number: WZ 112.5 P65 B915a 2014
ISBN: 1611174902
Publication Date: 2014
During the early twentieth century thousands of Americans died of pellagra before the cause--vitamin B3 deficiency--was identified. Credit for ending the scourge is usually given to Dr. Joseph Goldberger of the U.S. Public Health Service, who proved the case for dietary deficiency during 1914−1915 and spent the rest of his life combating those who refused to accept southern poverty as the root cause. Charles S. Bryan demonstrates that between 1907 and 1914 a patchwork coalition of American asylum superintendents, local health officials, and practicing physicians developed a competence in pellagra, sifted through hypotheses, and set the stage for Goldberger's epic campaign. Leading the American response to pellagra was Dr. James Woods Babcock (1856-1922), superintendent of the South Carolina State Hospital for the Insane from 1891 to 1914. It was largely Babcock who sounded the alarm, brought out the first English-language treatise on pellagra, and organized the National Association for the Study of Pellagra, the three meetings of which--all at the woefully underfunded Columbia asylum--were landmarks in the history of the disease. More than anyone else, Babcock encouraged pellagra researchers on both sides of the Atlantic. Bryan proposes that the early response to pellagra constitutes an underappreciated chapter in the coming-of-age of American medical science. The book also includes a history of mental health administration in South Carolina during the early twentieth century and reveals the complicated, troubled governance of the asylum. Bryan concludes that the traditional bane of good administration in South Carolina and excessive General Assembly oversight, coupled with Governor Cole Blease's political intimidation and unblushing racism, damaged the asylum and drove Babcock from his post as superintendent. Remarkably many of the issues of inadequate funding, political cronyism, and meddling in the state's health care facilities reemerged in modern times. Asylum Doctor describes the plight of the mentally ill during an era when public asylums had devolved into convenient places to warehouse inconvenient people. It is the story of an idealistic humanitarian who faced conditions most people would find intolerable. And it is important social history for, as this book's epigraph puts it, "in many ways the Old South died with the passing of pellagra."
Infectious Diseases in Primary Care by Charles S. Bryan
Call Number: wc 200 B915i 2002
ISBN: 0721690564
Publication Date: 2002
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN PRIMARY CARE covers disorders that primary care providers, family physicians and internists see on a regular basis. The clear organization starts with an overview of Infectious Diseases, followed by special issues in Pediatrics and Obstetrics, infectious disease emergencies, common problems, and also addresses specific pathogens, immunization, and antimicrobial therapy. This handy book guides the reader to recognize life threatening emergencies, to identify and treat all of the common infectious diseases that are prevalent today, and to follow a cost-effective approach to the common, high volume infectious problems.
The Quotable Osler by William Osler; Mark E. Silverman (Editor); T. J. Murray (Editor); Charles S. Bryan (Editor); American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine Staff (Contribution by)
Call Number: WZ 305 O828q 2002
ISBN: 1930513348
Publication Date: 2002
Despite William Osler's enduring importance, a single, well-indexed and easily searched source of his sayings has not been readily available to those seeking an apt quote for an article or talk, or for those who may just want to sample his thought-provoking and uplifting messages. The Quotable Osler is designed as a resource to fill this need and to introduce the wisdom of Osler to physicians of the 21st century. This volume includes over 800 quotations and numerous photographs of Osler.
Osler by Charles S. Bryan
Call Number: WZ 100 O82BA 1997
ISBN: 0195112512
Publication Date: 1997
Sir William Osler (1849-1919), one of the world's most influential physicians at the turn of the twentieth century, remained popular long after his death largely due to his inspirational texts. Regretfully, changing times and literary tastes have lessened the impact of Osler's addressesdespite the timelessness of his ideals and practical advice. Charles Bryan has successfully mended the disfavor in the present volume. Framing the great physician's message in contemporary, easily accessible terms, he allows modern readers to rediscover the immense appeal and pragmatism of Osler'sinvigorating writings. This volume is based on the author's conviction that Osler was, above all, a motivator. He set high personal goals, achieved them, and inspired others to do the same. Bryan merges what Osler wrote, said, and did with the main themes of today's motivational literature--time management, mentoring,positive thinking, and seeking a balanced life are some examples. He also draws upon the great writers--Shakespeare, Cervantes, Montaigne, Plutarch, and others--whom Osler prescribed as bedside reading for his medical students. Osler emerges as a real-life human being, not a paper saint, but aperson who sought the best from his culture and knowledge, and managed to give his best in return. Readers will find this book useful not only as an index to Oslerian thought but also as a guide to principle-based yet pragmatic everyday living.
A Most Satisfactory Man by Charles S. Bryan
Call Number: WZ 100 H423B 1996
ISBN: 0871524961
Publication Date: 1996
In this meticulously researched and highly readable book, Dr. Bryan details the history of an engaging and friendly but not particularly promising young man through childhood, college and his all-to-brief professional life, to a hero's death in the fight to control yellow fever in West Africa. This account traces his career from early work as a teenager with two prominent malariologists through college, wartime service and medical school to his appointment to the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Institute.

Dr. Charles S. Bryan Bio

Charles S. Bryan is Heyward Gibbes Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he attended Harvard College and received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After postgraduate training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. Bryan returned to Columbia in 1974 to enter private practice in internal medicine and infectious diseases. In 1977, he became a charter faculty member at the USC School of Medicine, where he has served as Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases (1977-1993), Chair of the Department of Medicine (1992-2000), and Director of the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (2000 to the present).

Dr. Bryan's contributions to the medical literature have been mainly in the areas of infectious diseases and medical history. His publications include more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, more than 250 editorials, and nine books. The latter include Osler: Inspirations from a Great Physician (Oxford University Press, 1997) and Infectious Diseases in Primary Care (W. B. Saunders Company, 2002). He has served as editor of The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association since 1977, and as a reviewer for numerous medical journals. He has served for many years as hospital epidemiologist at several hospitals in the Columbia area. He was a principal founder of the Midlands Care Consortium for the care of patients with HIV/AIDS in central South Carolina.

Dr. Bryan is a Master of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, a fellow the Infectious Diseases Society of America, a co-founder and past president of the South Carolina Infectious Diseases Society, and a past president of the Columbia Medical Society and of the Waring Library Society. He is a member of numerous medical organizations including the American Clinical and Climatological Association. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases. Since 1999 he has served as secretary-treasurer of the American Osler Society.

Dr. Bryan is a recipient of the William Osler Medal from the American Association of the History of Medicine, the Theodore E. Woodward Award from the American Clinical and Climatological Association, and the Laureate Award of the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Physicians, and the President's Award of the South Carolina Medical Association. He has been the recipient of numerous named lectureships at various institutions. The Charles S. Bryan Dinner has been created as an annual event at the Association of Professors of Medicine in recognition of Dr. Bryan's contributions to that organization. The Charles S. Bryan Scholar Award was created in the Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine to recognize each year an outstanding internal medicine resident.

Dr. Bryan is also a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the state of South Carolina, for his lifelong achievements in medical research, infectious disease, and medical education in South Carolina.

Photos of 2014 Book Signing

Additional Photos from 2014 Book Signing