According to recent comment, the importance of infections and the interest in them have reached a nadir.1 But, by reviewing these Reviews published annually since 1935, infectious diseases actually have increased in importance, if not in interest. For example, the death rate from infections is about the same now as it was in 1935, but depends upon different causal microbes. Some diseases have almost disappeared only to be replaced by others. Great advances in the knowledge of viral infections, microbic biology and immunology; the multiplicity of vaccines and antimicrobic drugs, their proper use and limited value; the unceasing resurgence of epidemics; the rising incidence of iatrogenic and nosocomial infections; and the recognition of exotic diseases imported from persistent endemic areas are largely beyond the grasp of generalist physicians and surgeons. They require specialized knowledge and undiminished interest.
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