In surgery, as in all fields of human activity, history is forgotten at our peril. Operations that made History gives its readers a unique insightinto a remarkable specialty, using the lessons of history to instruct as well as amuse.
A notable surgeon and charismatic teacher himself, Professor Ellis has brought together in Operations that made History a fascinating collection of renowned surgical procedures each one illustrating a different aspect of the history of surgery.
"...it will be a useful addition to any private collection or library, as it recounts in a simple, accessible, handy way some
great moments in the history of surgery."
Alain Touwaide, PhD (The Huntington)
Harold Ellis qualified in Medicine at Oxford in 1948, the very month that the National Health Service was born. He trained in Surgery at Oxford, Sheffield, Northampton and London as well as spending two years in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a graded surgical specialist. He later served as civilian consultant surgeon to the Army.
He was appointed the foundation Professor of Surgery at Westminster Medical School, (now part of Imperial College, London),in 1962.He retired from Surgery in 1989 and, since then, has taught Anatomy, first at Cambridge and now, since 1993, at Guy's.
He has written or edited 27 text books on Surgery, Anatomy and Medical History. In 1987 he was appointed CBE for services to Surgery.
Introduction. The First Ovariotomy. Ligation of the Abdominal Aorta. Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy. The First Successful Gastrectomy. Splenectomy for Rupture of the Spleen. Renal Transplantation." I Dressed the Wound and God Healed Him". The Birth of Anaesthesia. The Compound Fracture. Electrosurgery. Queen Caroline's Umbilical Hernia. Lord Nelson's Amputation. The Sebaceous Cyst of George IV. Henry Thompson and Two Royal Bladder stones. The Appendiceal Abscess of Edward VII. The Empyema of George V. The Pneumonectomy of George VI. Envoi.