Differential diagnosis of internal diseases

Differential Diagnosis of Internal Diseases was authored by Milton Howard Fussell, a prominent Philadelphia physician and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Published by D. Appleton and Company in 1916, the volume emerged during an era when medical education in the United States was rapidly formalizing following the Flexner Report. It reflects the clinical rigor of the early 20th century, serving as a structured guide for practitioners to navigate the complex process of identifying systemic disorders through physical examination and patient history.

The book is characterized by a diagnostic philosophy that prioritizes bedside observation and methodical symptom analysis, a hallmark of the internal medicine curriculum of the time. Fussell designed the text to act as a definitive reference for medical students and general practitioners, favoring a clinical approach over the emerging laboratory-centric diagnostic methods. Upon its release, it was well-regarded for its logical organization and the author's clear articulation of differential thought, securing its place as a practical tool for the rigorous medical training regimens of the 1910s.