How has the practice of medicine evolved from a profession of comfort to one of scientific intervention? Lewis G. Thomas, a physician and researcher, examines the transformation of medical practice through the lens of his own career and his father's medical observations. He argues that while medicine has gained significant diagnostic and therapeutic power, it has simultaneously shifted away from the traditional role of the physician as a provider of comfort.

Experts and readers frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the humanistic side of medical history. The prose is noted for its clarity and reflective tone, making it accessible to both medical professionals and laypeople interested in the evolution of healthcare.