Hugh Cairns: First Nuffield Professor of Surgery, University of Oxford

by PeterMorris (Contributor), G . J . Fraenkel (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1991

  $3.31

  With a series of scholarships, the son of a South Australian village carpenter, Hugh Cairns entered Adelaide Medical School and, with a Rhodes Scholarship, studied medicine at Balliol College, Oxford. He served at Gallipoli and in the trenches in France. Whilst in Oxford, he rowed for the University and married the Master of Balliol's daughter. He forms a background to personal events during the first half neurosurgery from Harvey Cushing. He returned to Britain as leading brain surgeon and treated many famous people. In the 1930s his influence persuaded Oxford University and Lord Nuffield to set up the Nuffield medical departments. In charge of head injuries in the British army during the Second World War, he developed helmets for motor cyclists, and mobile neurosurgical units in all theatres of war. With his friend Howard Florey, he introduced penicillin to army units in North Africa. In 1948, as 'Surgeon Ambassador', he reviewed medicine and medical education in Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Africa. Loyal disciples had already established themselves in these countries and in many parts of Europe. Before he died in 1952, psychosurgery and the treatment of tuberculosis had become his dominant interests. Gus Fraenkel's biography will be of general and historical interest as well as being of particular interest to physicians and surgeons. The book provides a fascinating insight into the development of neurosurgery as a specialty, the formation of the University of Oxford Medical School, and the treatment of head injuries during the Second World War.