Southend has had more than a dozen hospitals in its history and in this book the authors have produced a lively narrative, full of human and medical interest, enlivened by extracts from the diaries of a former doctor and nurses that throw light on hospital life. There are also biographical sketches of more than 100 individuals who have played prominent roles as consultants, nurses and administrators. It plots the development of clinical and non-clinical services and the work of nurses, organisations providing an insight into the state of medicine in earlier years.