History lives in words and memory, but it also lives in objects. That is why people collect original art and books, even when there are reproductions that appear and feel identical to the original. It is why the U.S. National Archives displays the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, even though these documents can be read online, in books, or framed in perfect facsimile. This is no less true for the history of neurological surgery, and it explains why many readers of the AANS Bulletin enjoy holding a first edition by Dandy or Frazier in their hands.
The AANS Executive Office near Chicago is home to an extensive collection of objects that breathe life into the history of our profession. Among the more than 14,000 items are printed materials — manuscripts, reprints, books and letters — as well as surgical instruments, photographs, and other precious objects including (yes) Harvey Cushing’s top hat.
The contents of the archives were amassed over the years from donations by individual neurosurgeons and their families. Some of the material can be viewed online in the Cyber Museum of Neurological Surgery, www.neurosurgery.org/cybermuseum. For instance, the exhibit on the history of aneurysm surgery includes original contributions from pioneers in the field. Photos from an exhibit in 1992 showcase an amazing array of early stereotactic instruments from the collection.
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| These photos of Harvey Cushing, operating before the Harvey Cushing Society at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in 1932 and with books, are among the more than 14,000 items archived at the AANS Executive Office. Archival photographs are being selected for exhibit during the 75th AANS Annual Meeting, April 14-19, 2007, in Washington, D.C. |
A permanent display of items from the archives graces the Executive Office lobby. Among these items are Cushing memorabilia, such as his lab coat and first editions of works he authored; a complete set of surgical instruments circa 1875; Incan Tumi knives for trephining the skull; and photographs of Louise Eisenhardt delivering the first Cushing lecture. The complete collection of busts by neurosurgeon and artist Emil Seletz — Cushing, Horsley and Dandy among them — also are exhibited in the building.
For anyone in need of evidence that history begins a minute ago, consider the four-volume Video Journal of Neurosurgery. This extensive series of instructional videotapes was created in the early 1990s, when many of today’s AANS members had just begun their neurosurgical residencies. Narrated by Bennett Stein and Donlin Long, the series features intraoperative footage and instruction by giants of 20th century neurosurgery, some of whom have since died. A sampling of the presenters and topics includes: Joseph Ransohoff, Management Problems of Gliomas in Adults; John Tew Jr., AVMs of the Thalamus; David Kline, Peripheral Nerve Tumors; Albert Rhoton Jr., Acoustic Tumors; Sidney Goldring, Surgical Management of Epilepsy; Fred Epstein, Intermedullary Spinal Cord Tumors; John Jane Sr., Neurosurgery of the Orbit; and Donald Quest, Surgery for Carotid Disease in the 1990s. The entire series is housed in the archives.
Donations of personal documents, photos, instruments, or objects that will teach present and future neurosurgeons about the development of the field can be made by contacting the AANS. Volunteers interested in organizing this invaluable resource and making it available for researchers and interested neurosurgeons are also welcome. The archives represent our history and will tell our story — the story of neurosurgery — for generations to come.
Michael Schulder, MD, is professor and vice chair in the Department of Neurological Surgery at New Jersey Medical School in Newark.