SIR WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT-LANE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/06/1920 - HFSID 287861

WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT LANE
Letter thanking someone for a gift of paintings
Autograph Letter signed: "W. Arbuthnot Lane", 2 pages (integral leaf), 3¼x3. 21 Cavendish Square (London), n. d. On personal letterhead to "Dear Mrs. Eastwood", In full: "My wife has just forwarded me your very kind letter & told me about the pictures you have so kindly painted for me. I will value them very much & will [1 word illegible] to enjoy Seaford up in my room. I hope to see the pictures next Saturday or perhaps earlier. With kindest regards I am yours very truly". William Arbuthnot Lane (1856-1943) was a Scottish surgeon at Guy's Hospital, London. Early in his medical career he was known as one of Britain's finest abdominal surgeons, known especially for the Lane Technique of internal splints. During World War I, he pioneered techniques for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Later in his career he developed some very controversial views, including the notion that evolution was proceeding much faster among humans than Darwin had realized. Such theories led to severe criticism by the medical establishment, and to his removal from the Medical Register. While these esoteric theories have not been supported by subsequent research, he was ahead of his time in promoting lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. He founded the New Health Society in 1925 to promote these approaches. Lightly toned and creased. unknown stain at lower left corner. Otherwise, fine condition.