Kentucky physician and surgeon Ephraim McDowell
Kentucky physician Ephraim McDowell (1771-1830) has the distinction in American surgery of being the first surgeon to perform an intraabdominal operation when he performed an ovariotomy in 1809 in Danville, Kentucky. His case list also includes the surgical removal of a bladder stone from James Polk, who later became President of the United States.
There is a statue of McDowell in the United States Capitol.
I read a book about him in college. While he was operating, a lynch mob was outside the house preparing to hang him b/c up until his successful operation in primitive conditions, every patient on whom doctors tried abdominal operations had died. He was the first, I believe, to recognize and practice aneseptic techniques. Thus, the patient lived and medicine was advanced. I have great admiration for any doctor pursuing the best interest of a patient when “gallows” were awaiting him if he failedc!
CORRECTED COMMENT: I read a book about him in college. While he was operating, a lynch mob was outside the house preparing to hang him b/c up until his successful operation in primitive conditions, every patient on whom doctors tried abdominal surgery had died. He was the first, I believe, to recognize and practice antiseptic techniques. Thus, the patient lived and medicine was advanced. I have great admiration for any doctor pursuing the best interest of a patient when “gallows” were awaiting him if he failed!