Episode 115 - Sit up and take notice: The Fowler Position
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will talk about the Fowler position in surgery, its current and historical uses, the person behind the name, and the legend of its development. Along the way, we'll cover the origins of the Red Cross and Geneva Convention, the discovery of the pancreatic duct, and more. Enjoy!
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Episode 114 - "Troubled Masterpiece": The Controversial Pernkopf Atlas
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we'll explore the history of the Pernkopf Atlas, an anatomy text used by surgeons and pathologists worldwide, as well as the life of it's creator, Eduard Pernkopf. He was a professor at the University of Vienna and avowed Nazi, and this link has made the use of his atlas controversial. We'll consider it's value to the medical world, and the ethics of it's use, both for and against, and learn of the history of it's creation. Warning: this episode does cover topics including the Holocaust that may be upsetting to some listeners.
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Episode 113 - Better know an instrument: Potts Scissors
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we'll meet the person behind the eponymously named scissors, the American pediatric surgeon Willis J. Potts. We'll cover his contributions to the development of surgery specifically for children, and in particular the operations on the heart that he pioneered. There is also some trivia, and a new feature on etymology, so enjoy!
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Episode 112 - The Ongoing History of Surgery: The World's First Whole Eye Transplant
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will cover the recent story of (possibly) the world's first whole eye transplant that occured in May of 2023, as well as the story of a possible previous attempt in 1969, and the aftermath that followed. The show also has a new feature - trivia! And, we will explore the medical origins of the word 'bedlam'. Enjoy!
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Episode 111 - The Code of Hammurabi
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will explore the history of a nearly 4 millenia old slab of rock which has inscribed on it some of the oldest recorded laws in history, including some that dictated payments for operations, and some severe punishments for malpractice! Along the way, we'll also delve into the world of Babylonian medicine, discover the history of the caduceus, and, as a special bonus, cover a recent Nobel prize which has implications for surgery in an all new suture tale.
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Episode 110 - The Loch Ness Monster and The Surgeon's Photo
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will explore the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, as well as the surgeon behind a famous photograph of the beast, Robert Kenneth Wilson, a legend in his own right. And of course, we'll go on our usual tangents and side stories along the way!
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Episode 109 - Was Jack the Ripper a surgeon?
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will explore the question of the identity of the 19th century serial killer based in the London neighborhood of Whitechapel. Specifically, we will consider the evidence provided by some authors that the notorious killer was a Welsh-born surgeon named Sir John Williams. And of course, there will be a bit of interesting trivia along the way!
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Episode 108 - The Michelangelo of Medicine: Frank Netter and the Atlas of Human Anatomy
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will explore the famous 20th century medical illustrator Frank Netter and his magnum opus, the Atlas of Human Anatomy. While this work is his most famous, many people do not realize that Frank Netter was also a doctor, and (briefly) practiced as a surgeon, before spending the majority of his career as a commercial artist. Have a listen to find out more!
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Episode 107 - "The Secret"
Legends of Surgery
In this episode, we will meet the Chamberlen family, French Huguenots and barber surgeons/male midwives that practiced in England in the 16th and 17th centuries CE. They had a special instrument that could safely deliver babies in cases of obstruction, a secret they kept for 2 centuries. To find out more, listen to the podcast!
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Episode 106 - From toxin to cure: The story of Botox
Legends of Surgery
Initially recognized as a poison in blood sausage by a German country doctor in the 19th century CE, botulinum toxin was isolated and purified during world war II by the American military. It was ophthalmogist Dr. Alan Scott who recognized the clinical utility of the toxin, which now has over 150 different applications!
info_outlineThe subject for this episode, written and narrated by Dr. David Sigmon, is the great medieval surgeon Guy de Chauliac. His life and works are covered, including the 'Chirurgia Magna', or 'Great Writings on Surgery', but the main focus is his role in fighting the Black Death in Avignon, France, in 1342, and the lessons he learned about the plague that devastated much of Western civilization.