Some Gynecologic History.

Selected writings of A. Jackson Howe.

Dr. Walter Burnham, one of Dr. Howe's colaborers, was the first surgeon of modern time who ventured to excise the womb, which he did on June 26, 1854. In view of the fact that this bit of history is generally ignored the following is of more than ordinary interest.—Ed. Gleaner.

SOME GYNAECOLOGIC HISTORY.—In no branch of gynaecology have such marvelous changes in professional opinions taken place as in regard to ovariotomy. When Spencer Wells visited Boston, some time after he had established the fact that the surgical removal of ovarian cystomata was legitimate, and warranted by the ratio of successful results, there were many reputable physicians in and about the city who, with expressions of disdain, refused to be introduced to him. Dr. Walter Burnham and Dr. Gilman Kimball, of Lowell, and Dr. Horatio R. Storer, of Boston, were branded as unprofessional characters for practicing what had been demonstrated as unsafe and unsurgical. A man who would perform ovariotomy was a quack surgeon not to be recognized. On account of a senseless prejudice, an operation which was first scientifically performed by an American, ovariotomy was driven to Europe for recognition and development.— HOWE, Operative Gynaecology.

The Biographies of King, Howe, and Scudder, 1912, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M. D.