West Virginia University School of Medicine - Pylon Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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The eight unique marble reliefs adorning the Pylons at the entrance to the School of Medicine are the work of the noted sculptor Milton Horn. Mr. Horn, born in the Russian Ukraine in 1906, studied the History of Medicine extensively before beginning work on the reliefs in 1954. The white marble tablets were installed in the Pylons in 1956. The plaques depict milestones in the History of Medicine, each relief being roughly divided into upper and lower halves. Photographs and descriptions of the sculptures were done by his wife, Estelle Horn, and are reproduced here. Top: Ephraim McDowell (1771-1830) treating tumor of the ovary by the first re- moval of this organ. Bottom: gnaz Semmel- weis (1818-1865) insti- tuted methods of pre- venting childbed fever, thus saving the lives of thousands of mothers. Dissection and anatomical illustration in the renais- sance when anatomy be- came a science through dissections of the human corpse by Andreas Vesa- lius (1514-1564). Top: The American Wil- liam Beaumont (1785- 1853) advanced physiol- ogy by his study of the di- gestive processes in the living stomach of Alexis St. Martin after a healed shotgun wound left a per- manent opening. Bottom: Wilhelm Roent- gen (1845-1923) discov- ered the X-ray in 1895. The panel shows the fluoroscope which uses X- ray in the examination of the interior of the living Top: The development of dentistry as a modern sci- ence began with the writ- ings and practice of Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761), who is depicted examin- ing a patient. Bottom: Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) inoculating a dog with rabies virus via a hole bored through the skull — part of an experi- ment to develop a rabies vaccine.

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THE PYLONS A SCULPTURED HISTORY OF MEDICINE Top: Hippocrates (460- 370 B.C.) Father of Medi- cine. Hippocratic medi- cine ' s chief concerns were the patient and diag- nosis and treatment based on observed facts. Bottom: Aristotle (384- 322 B.C.) Comparative anatomist and embryolo- gist. Top: The Apothecary. And thou shalt make .... an ointment compound after the art of the apoth- ecary. Exodus 30:25. Bottom: The Old Testa- ment legislated social hy- giene for the good of the individual and the com- munity. Top: William Harvey (1578-1657), discoverer of the circulation of the blood, studying the flow of blood in the veins. Bottom: The Reverend Stephan Hales (1677-1761) making the first measure- ment of blood pressure, using the direct method on a horse. Top: Benvenutus Gras- sus (circa 12th Century) made studies on the structure of the eye. His writings were the acknowledged text on opthalmology for 500 years. Bottom: A Deaconess in a medieval hospital carrying out Christian- ity ' s essential aim .... the assistance of the sick .... a work of hu- man and divine pity. Castiglioni

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HIPPOCRATIC OATH I SWEAR BY APOLLO THE PHYSICIAN, BY AESCULAPIUS, HYGIEIA, AND PANACEA, AND BY ALL I HOLD MOST SACRED THAT ACCORDING TO MY ABILITY AND JUDGEMENT I WILL KEEP THIS OATH AND THIS STIPULATION. THAT I WILL BE LOYAL TO THE PROFESSION OF MEDICINE, AND JUST AND GENEROUS TO ITS MEMBERS. THAT I WILL EXERCISE MY ART SOLELY FOR THE CARE OF MY PATIENTS AND THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE, AND WILL GIVE NO DRUGS AND PERFORM NO OPERATION FOR A CRIMINAL PURPOSE AND FAR LESS SUGGEST SUCH A THING. THAT I WILL LEAD MY LIFE AND PRACTICE MY ART IN UPRIGHTNESS AND HONOR. THAT INTO WHATSOEVER HOUSE I SHALL ENTER, IT SHALL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SICK AND THE WELL TO THE UPMOST OF MY POWER, AND THAT I WILL HOLD MYSELF ALOOF FROM WRONG AND CORRUPTION AND FROM TEMPTING TO VICE. THAT WHATSOEVER I SHALL SEE OR HEAR OF THE LIVES OF MEN WHICH OUGHT NOT BE SPOKEN, I WILL NOT DIVULGE. WHILE I CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS OATH INVIOLATE MAY IT BE GRANTED TO ME TO ENJOY LIFE AND THE PRACTICE OF THE ART, RESPECTED BY ALL MEN IN ALL TIMES. BUT, SHOULD I TRESPASS AND VIOLATE THIS OATH, MAY THE REVERSE BE MY LOT!