Wayne State University School of Medicine - Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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IEPARTME T OF OOOUPATKD WD AL E VHUDlME HEALTH TAL ARTHUR J. VORWALD, CHAIRMAN FIRST ROW: Alexander, H. Hirschleld, Ralph G. Smith, S. Daniel Steiner, Arthur Vorwald, Marion W. jocz, Lyndle R. Martin, john H. Ganchow. SECOND ROW: Douglas Wood, William G. Fred- rick, Louis W. Staudt, Martin F. Bruton, Edwin Dejongh, William -lend, Jr., Andrew L. Reeves, Daniel Deitch, George M. Hama Thomas F. Mooney, jr. NOT PICTURED: Harry ll. Berke, Donaldxj Birmingham, Earle A. Irvin, Duane L. Block, Robert C. Bchan Andrew T. Dempster, Stanley H. Schuman.

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The Bettmann Archive The doctor pretended to remove stones from the peasantls head in order to relieve him of a headache. In ancient times, neurological surgery involved the treatment of traumatic lesions of the nervous system. It is interesting to note that in the days of Hippocrates, the trephine was known and used. It is also interesting to remember that in Peru, where opening into the skull was practiced fairly frequently, they had no concept of the wheel and consequently openings in the skull were made by scraping the bone with appropriate instruments. Even before historic times, openings were made into the skull probably for certain types of illnesses fepilepsy, mental aberrationsb. lt is known that such skulls are fairly commonly found in certain portions of the world such as Central Europe, North America, South America, and they are uncommonly or almost never found in some places such as Egypt. The specialty of neurosurgery received a tremendous stimulus from developments in neurology and means and methods of operating upon the body with control of pain and infection. At the present time, there are 83 training services in neurosurgery in the United States. This implies that there are almost 400 candidates in training continu- ously. Among the unusual personalities that have con- tributed a great deal to the growth of the specialty include Cushing, Dandy, Frazier, in this country, Horseley, Macewen, Trotter, in Englandg Kocher in Switzerlandg and others. Neurosurgery has seven national societies. There are 1400 Board certified neurosurgeons in the United States and in the foreseeable future, the specialty should prosper remarkably. There are many research problems to be solved. The mechanism of concussion, the success- ful treatment of gliomas, the management and prevention of stroke are a few of the problems which would make many a person busy for years and famous for good dis- coveries. Let us pray. 43

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The Beltmann Archive Metal workers get sick by breathing bad vapors and by bending position. The growth and development of occupational medicine and environmental health had its inception with the beginning of prehistoric man, who made efforts to control his environment and to battle against the sometimes mysterious, but always present dangers of illness attend- ing occupation. ln large measure, the efforts in that regard slowly simmered during most of the Middle Ages. During the 15th and 16th Centuries it was sporadically stimulated by the writings of Ellenborg, Agricola and Paracelsus. Not until Bernardino Ramazzini, the father of occupational medicine, made his classic studies in the 17th Century on diseases of workers, were any concerted efforts made to protect people who worked. Ramazzini's advice went unheeded while the world underwent the economic and social upheaval of the industrial revolution. The wholesale poisonings, crippling and maiming of workers, inherent in the industrial environment of the time, however, created a social awareness of the problem, and the modern concept of occupational medicine was born. Among the descriptions which Ramazzini left for posterity, there are many examples relating to the signs and symptoms of disease caused by occupation. In addi- tion, he left two dictums. The first of these was his exhortation to all physicians to ask of their patients not only the usual questions regarding their health, but also to inquire without fail of what trade are you. The other command of the Qld Master was that physicians should learn the nature of the occupational disease in shops, mills, mines or wherever men toil. These dictums are worthy of adherence by all who are engaged with the detection, care and prevention of occupational disease. Osler believed that clinical medicine is best learned in the wards of hospitals. Ramazzini taught that occupa- tional diseases most effectively are studied not only in the wards, but also in the work environment. This dual con- cept is more fully appreciated today than ever before. Accordingly, the modern practice of occupational and environmental health engages not only the physician, but also members of the para medical, social and legal professions. 45