Ephraim McDowell, the first ovariotomy, and the birth of abdominal surgery.

摘要

In February 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born on his father's farm at Knob's Creek near present day Hodgenville, Kentucky. Most historians agree that no president is more esteemed or revered than Lincoln, and certainly few events could compete with the significance of Lincoln's birth, the bicentenary of which we celebrate this year. However, in December of the same year, in a small frontier town less than 70 mile.s from Lincoln's birthplace, Ephraim McDowell undertook the world's first ovariotomy. In doing so, the field of abdominal surgery was born. Legend has it that a surly crowd gathered outside McDowell's home during the operation and waited to hang him on his patient's certain death.