he Medical Society of DC (MSDC) was founded in 1817 and since then has grown to be the largest medical organization in the District of Columbia. It advocates on behalf of physicians in the District and has had a significant role in controlling the spread of contagious diseases. The MSDC organized against polio and most recently, has fought to ban smoking in public places, and has worked energetically against the spread of HIV in the region. This inclusive account, long out of print, offers a glimpse at the early efforts to build an organization and its considerable success. This edition is dedicated to Dr. Robert Enelow, an outstanding example of a healing practitioner.