The Medical Pickwick (1915--1927)--"A Monthly Literary Magazine for and by Physicians".

This article examines the history and content of a forgotten American magazine, the Medical Pickwick. Published from 1915 to 1927, the Medical Pickwick was advertised as "a monthly literary magazine for and by physicians," publishing a striking array of content, including short stories, cartoons, jokes, anecdotes, poetry, autobiography, medical histories, book reviews, and much more. Digitized primary sources, specifically issues of the magazine and medical journals, are studied closely to narrate how medical professionals viewed and employed the Medical Pickwick as a publication. Mainly concerned as a project of recovery, this article situates the magazine within the context of ongoing discussions among researchers working at the intersection of medicine and literature, investigating how its varied content can provide insight into issues germane to the interests of both literary researchers and medical historians. Of particular importance is how its physician-based readership leveraged the magazine to pursue literary and humanistic projects, finding in the Medical Pickwick a venue that explicitly avoided printing technical material. The magazine, rather, was established and edited as a publication that attempted to draw physicians' attention to creative work that would distract them from the challenges of their careers. In what is only a brief exposition of this magazine's many pages, this article aims to stimulate future research into its texts and visual culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]