Open AccessNeurosurgery in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary c. 1920–c. 1940: knowledge, skills and styles
Author(s) -
Nicola Newall,
Peter Bodkin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of the royal college of physicians of edinburgh/the journal of the royal college of physicians of edinburgh
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.275
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 2042-8189
pISSN - 1478-2715
DOI - 10.4997/jrcpe.2019.115
Subject(s) - neurosurgery , medicine , neurology , general surgery , surgery , psychiatry
A neurosurgical unit was established in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) in 1948 with the appointment of Martin Nichols as its first full-time neurosurgeon. Despite there being no formal neurosurgical ward or specialist dedicated to neurosurgery in ARI prior to this, a number of neurosurgical procedures were undertaken between 1920 and 1940. From 1923 to 1932, the procedures were predominantly cranial and were performed by general surgeons. The operations evolved in 1933 to include the spine and peripheral nerves after the arrival of Sir James Learmonth. This paper chronicles the development of surgical neurology at the ARI in the 30 years preceding a formal unit. It considers the factors and background that enabled neurosurgical practices to be undertaken and led to evolution of neurosurgery from general surgery.