Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The first edition of this famous textbook, published in 1950, was written by Robert H. Williams and 11 contributors. Williams stated then that "the authors chosen to collaborate in writing this book are men who have maintained intimate contact with progress in both basic and clinical investigations, and who have had great experience in the practical application of this information." "In 1950 the main clinical tests for the evaluation of thyroid function were listed as basal metabolic rate, protein bound iodine, radioiodine studies, creatine tolerance, and blood cholesterol." The main object of the text, in Williams' words, was to "provide a condensed and authoritative discussion of the management of clinical endocrinopathies, based on the application of fundamental information obtained from chemical and physiologic investigations." In short, this text was to serve as "a bridge between basic science and clinical endocrinology." It is informative for the modern clinician to peruse that
Sheldon S. Stoffer (Wed,) studied this question.