Charles B.G. de Nancrede: Academic Surgeon at the Fin de Siècle

Abstract

At the last turn of the century American surgery was in the midst of a number of paradigm shifts, involving transitions in technology, surgical practice, surgical specialization, patient care, surgical training, and medical economics. Charles B. G. de Nancrede was a leader during this formative period. A key figure in the transition from antiseptic to sterile technique in American medicine, he was also a prolific writer, a bold surgeon, and a great surgical educator. De Nancrede created one of the earliest prototypes of the modern multispecialty surgical departments. The coming turn of the century promises new transitions comparable to those of the past.

The Leech and the Physician: Biology, Etymology, and Medical Practice with Hirudinea medicinalis

“…A Gross disciple, Charles de Nancrede, who became Professor of Surgery in Ann Arbor, mentioned leeches in his textbook, Lectures on the Principles of Surgery. The comment went unchanged from the 1889 to the 1905 edition: "Diminution of the contents of the veins may be effected by means of leeches on wet-cups always remembering that to be useful the blood must be drawn from the vein" [23]. Anglo-Saxon (c. 700 -1100)…”