In the steps of giants: the early geriatrics texts.

This article briefly reviews some of the major early geriatric textbooks of the last two centuries. Among the more important are books by George Day, Charcot, Nascher, Worcester, and Cowdry. Lord Amulree's book Adding Life to Years has become a watchword of modern geriatrics. It is of interest that during this time period the basic plea for high touch care of older patients and the lament that physicians have little knowledge of the needs of older patients has remained remarkably constant.