A study in white: medicine and crime according to Sherlock Holmes

Abstract

Sherlock Holmes is described by his biographer as being in possession of an “immense knowledge” of criminal history. He substantiates this claim by frequent casual references to particular criminal cases. Dr. William Palmer and Dr. Edward Pritchard, two infamous examples of “killer doctors”, are cited by the detective as typical specimens of what heights – or depths – a murderer can reach when he has the “nerve and knowledge” granted by a scientific medical training. We shall give a brief biographical sketch of these two illustrious gentlemen and we will show that Holmes’ fears are not without fundament – indeed, the medical profession has given more than its fair share of murderers. The scientific method of diagnostic medicine, which can be so useful in criminal detection, has proven to be very useful also to many a ruthless and cunning assassin. Holmes, who was ahead of his time in combining medical semeiotics and detective work, was also prophetic in pointing out how terrible a threat to society a criminal doctor can be.