Bound by blood: William Halsted, master surgeon known for pioneering radical mastectomies and starting the first surgical residency at Hopkins, had some incredible and crazy family stories - e.g. emergently transfusing his sister with his own blood!
#MedHistory #histmed #surgery
#MedHistory #histmed #surgery
He performed one of the first cholecystectomies in the US on none other than his mother, and in their kitchen at around 2 am! In 1882 he removed her gallbladder which contained 7 gallstones, and she survived and recovered completely.
He also saved his sister's life after she lost a significant amount of blood during childbirth. Seeing her going into shock, he withdrew his own blood, transfused it into her, then went on to operate and stop her bleeding. They must have had the same blood type as she recovered.
Many historically-renowned surgeons were known for their confidence, but it takes a special level of boldness and nerves of steel to operate on family members in such conditions. Halsted had many remarkable achievements, and these 2 stories are some of the most impressive.
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