Ephraim McDowell: The Qualities of a good surgeon

To identify those personal qualities which enabled Dr. Ephraim McDowell to be successful as the first surgeon in the world to remove a large ovarian tumor. Dr. McDowell, in 1809 and before anesthesia or antisepsis, removed a large ovarian tumor from his patient, Jane Todd Crawford, who then survived...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of surgery 2004-05, Vol.239 (5), p.648-650
Main Author: OTHERSEN, H. Biemann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Female
General aspects
General Surgery - history
History, 19th Century
Humans
McDowell
Medical sciences
Original and Discussions
Ovarian Neoplasms - history
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Summary:To identify those personal qualities which enabled Dr. Ephraim McDowell to be successful as the first surgeon in the world to remove a large ovarian tumor. Dr. McDowell, in 1809 and before anesthesia or antisepsis, removed a large ovarian tumor from his patient, Jane Todd Crawford, who then survived 33 years. Existing histories and accounts of Ephraim McDowell's life and operations were sifted for his personal qualities. A visit to the McDowell House and family 200 reunion in Danville, Kentucky, added details. Qualities of confidence, compassion, courage, commitment, communication, courtesy, and especially cleanliness have been identified. Those qualities attributed to Ephraim McDowell perhaps were instrumental in his successes. Those basic qualities are still important for surgeons today.
ISSN:0003-4932
1528-1140
DOI:10.1097/01.sla.0000124382.04128.5a