The material in this small volume was collected in connexion with the Linacre Lecture at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and has been somewhat expanded since its delivery on 6th May 1922. The introduction is chiefly of local interest in connexion with the history of the Linacre Lecture. Without attempting a complete account of old age and its diseases I have passed in review some ancient and modern medical aspects of this subject, but, except for incidental references, medical treatment has not been considered.

For ready help, especially as regards the illustrations, my cordial thanks are due to C.J.S. Thompson, Esq., M.B.E., of the Wellcome Historical Museum, and for the index I am much indebted to H.M. Barlow, Esq., Assistant Librarian of the Royal College of Physicians of London.

H.R.