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Indian Journal of Surgery, Vol. 66, No. 4, July-August, 2004, pp. 232-233 Surgical History "The professor", William Steward Halsted: A legend Tewari Mallika Department of Surgical Oncology, IRCH, All India Institute
of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Code Number: is04054 William Steward Halsted (1852 - 1922) [Figure - 1], more than any other surgeon, set the scientific tone for this most important period in surgical history. He moved surgery from the melodramatics of the 19th century operating "theatre" to the starkness and sterility of the modern operating "room", commingled with the privacy and soberness of the research laboratory. New Yorker W. S. Halsted was awarded an MD in 1877 by the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1890 he was appointed the first surgeon-in-chief of the John Hopkins Hospital and was named the first professor of surgery in 1892.[1] As a surgeon Halsted′s most notable contributions were in development of the technique of radical mastectomy, the repair of inguinal hernia and advancement of bowel anastomosis. Halsted′s methods consisted of strict aseptic technique, gentle handling of tissue, use of the finest silk suture, small stitches, low tension, and complete closure of wounds whenever possible. He will perhaps be best remembered for his introduction of the use of surgical gloves. Developed by the Goodyear Rubber Company, the gaunts were made to protect the hands of his scrub nurse, Caroline Hampton, the future Mrs Halsted. Another of Halsted′s contributions was the development of topical anesthesia using cocaine. As a consequence of these experiments he developed addiction to the drug and later on morphia.[2] One of the most important aspects of the Halsted School of surgery was the training of residents to be not only surgeons but also teachers of surgery. Seven of his seventeen residents became professors of surgery at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, and another six went to other positions at medical schools or teaching hospitals. Eleven of Halsted′s residents set up residency training programs in their new posts. Halsted selected four residents to organize the surgical subdivisions of orthopedics, otolaryngology, roentgenology, and urology. His residents fondly referred to him as "The Professor". Lately he was bald, wore a moustache, and a little tuft of gray hair on his lower lip. During his Hopkins days in Baltimore (1886-1922) he was reclusive, and little is known of his personal life. He was married but had no children. He loved his dogs, enjoyed dahlia raising and astronomy. Coddled guinea hen egg was his favorite breakfast. He sent his laundry once a year to Paris. Several biographies written by Halsted′s contemporaries constitute the bulk of what is known about Halsted′s personal life. Late in Halsted′s life, he developed a warm and affectionate relationship with a young lady 40 years his junior. Halsted′s warm, personal, and playful letters are in stark contrast to his biographers′ portrayals of him as a more serious person.[3] Lost in this hagiographic haze are certain true aspects of his upbringing, family life, and professional activities. Newly available information shows that Halsted′s father, William Mills Halsted, Jr, was involved in numerous financial irregularities.[4] Dr. William Stewart Halsted passed away on September 7, 1922 but without question, he left an indelible mark on an entire generation of surgeons and on the practice of surgery itself. REFERENCES
Copyright 2004 - Indian Journal of Surgery |
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![[Figure - 1]](/showimage?is/embed/is0404/is04054e1.jpg){kind=link}