The Lancet is a weekly medical journal founded in 1823 in England. It is one of the excellent medical journals and one of the oldest. The journal publishes original articles, review articles, editorials, book reviews, correspondence, news features and case reports. Lancet is published by Elsevier (England). The present editor-in-chief is Richard Horton since 1945. The journal has editorial offices in London, New York City and Beijing.
The Lancet was founded by Thomas Wakely in 1823. He was an English surgeon. The journal is named after a surgical instrument called lancet (scalpel). There was corruption of medical services in London. BBC called it a radical journal. The journal has been considered one of the most prestigious in the world and played a significant role in reforming the health care system in the United Kingdom. The first edition explained the purpose of the journal. Wakely said its goal was to inform and teach about medicine.
Every good thing in the world faces adversaries. So also, The Lancet faced much criticism. And even a lawsuit was filed against it. The Lancet won the case. Two years after the foundation, over 4000 people subscribed to The Lancet. Its publication cost one six pence. The Lancet’s readership grew. After seven years, the readers rose to 8000. In 1840, the journal dominated medical news in England.
Members of the Wakley family retained editorship till 1908. In 1921, the editorship was taken over by Holder and Stoughton. Elsevier took over in 1991. The Lancet emphasises social justice. The Lancet publishes articles or problems related to low- and middle-income countries. The Lancet stands against racism and all other forms of discrimination.
In its initial career, the journal exposed unhygienic conditions in many hospitals. It prompted the government to take action. A poisoned patient was saved by a German doctor. An article was published in The Lancet.
The poison was given by FSB. On the article, the press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Paskov, said, “We do not read medical publications.”
The Lancet accepts only 5% of articles submitted. Each article is reviewed by the staff within 72 hours. If an article is accepted, it is published within four weeks. Then it is reviewed by peers. The journal considers every article that advances or illuminates medical science or practice, that educates and entertains the readers. The Lancet has published over 10,000 articles in total and has 1.8 million active users.
Health is wealth. The Sanskrit saying goes — Sariram adyam khalu dharma sadhanam. Body is first, then anything else. So we should keep our body in good condition. The journal The Lancet helps in this direction to a great extent. We should keep abreast of the up-to-date medical information. So we should subscribe to The Lancet. Is it not?
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )