Originally published in 1964, this book describes the hospital service as it is seen by patients. It is based mainly on interviews with a random sample of patients and discusses the relationships between patients and between them and hospital doctors, nurses, and general practitioners. The best available medical care should not only be given, but the patient and his relatives should feel that this has been given. Explanations need to be seen not as a lavish appendage, but as an integral part of medical care. Recognition and acceptance of this responsibility could stimulate interest in patients'social lives, so that hospital staff become more aware of the difficulties patients may encounter when they leave hospital. This in turn could lead to greater integration between the hospital and welfare services and between the hospital and the general practitioners. Still relevant today this study can now be read in its historical context.