[Our profession--as much an art as a science--Tidsskriftet 1881 - 1906].

The Norwegian journal entitled The Journal of Practical Medicine: (Tidsskrift for praktisk Medicin) was established in 1881. From the eighth volume and onwards, publishing responsibility was taken over by the Norwegian Medical Association. In 1890, the name of the journal was changed to the Journal of The Norwegian Medical Association (Tidsskrift For Den norske laegeforening):, which this year celebrates its 125th anniversary. Why did a new medical journal emerge in the 1880s and why did it survive? How was the journal influenced by its time and how did it itself influence time, profession and field? Investigating the 25 first years of the history of the journal might give us some answers to these questions. The journal was more or less established as a protest against the strong theorisation of medicine and the dominant role of the natural sciences. The aim of the "founding fathers" was, through practical examples, to strengthen the art and practice of medicine. Practical experience is, the editors proclaimed, an essential source of medical knowledge and understanding. Under the auspices of the Medical Association, a new editorial line was established. From now on hygiene and social medicine were highlighted as key issues within medicine. In this the journal reflected dominant traits within society in general. Around 1900 there was an increasing demand for the competence of the professions in solving general problems. Steadily more areas were politicised and theorised. The journal reflected these traits and played an important role in the process of professionalisation and education in citizenship--in raising doctors' attention and responsibility towards societal issues.