The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is one of the world`s best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals. The Lancet was founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakley, an English surgeon who named it after the surgical instrument called a lancet, as well as after the term «lancet arch», a window with a sharp pointed arch, to indicate the «light of wisdom» or «to let in light». It publishes original research articles, review articles («seminars» and «reviews»), editorials, book reviews, correspondence, as well as news features and case reports. The Lancet has been owned by Elsevier since 1991.The journal has editorial offices in London, New York, and Beijing.