"At one time I thought the Editor of the Lancet would kindly publish a letter from me on the subject, but further reflection led me to doubt whether so insignificant an individual would be noticed without some special introduction"

William Banting was a 19th century English undertaker who is credited with being the first individual to popularize the low-carbohydrate diet plan. In this quote, he is expressing his doubts about whether the Editor of the Lancet, a prominent medical journal, would publish a letter from him without some type of special introduction. This recommends that Banting knew his own absence of status and influence in the medical community, and was uncertain whether his concepts would be taken seriously. His doubts were likely well-founded, as the medical facility of the time was mostly dismissive of his dieting theories. Nevertheless, Banting's ideas ultimately got traction and he is now extensively credited with being the daddy of the low-carbohydrate diet.