Old Print Article: “Famous Vienna Operator Preparing For Demonstrations Of Bloodless Surgery,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle (1902)

May 10, 2010 in Old Print Articles, Science/Tech | Permalink

Adolf Lorenz was famous for his hip surgeries, but he also came up with a treatment for club feet.

Viennese orthopedic surgeon Adolf Lorenz was a trailblazer when medical procedures in America were still often performed in the home of the patient. He sojourned to the U.S. in December of 1902 and traveled cross country to share his medical knowledge and perform a series of innovative hip surgeries on crippled children.

In its December 14 issue, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle recorded Lorenz’s arrival in New York. (They spelled his first name “Adolph” instead of the proper “Adolf.”) The piece is subtitled: “Hundred of Local Physicians and Surgeons Seeking Opportunity to Study His Practice and Methods.” An excerpt:

“Professor Adolph Lorenz,the celebrated Austrian surgeon, arrived yesterday afternoon in New York to begin his operations for congenital dislocations of the hip. He will operate free of charge on a number of young children that have been selected by local physicians as proper subjects for his charity and his treatment.

Prof. Lorenz came in from Philadelphia at 7 o’clock. He was met in Jersey City by a large number of local surgeons, among them being Dr. Virgil P. Gibney, consulting surgeon for the New York Hospital for the Crippled and Ruptured. Dr. Gibney will have charge of the details of arrangements for Prof. Lorenz’s operations here.

The famous surgeon went directly to the Holland House, where rooms had been engaged for him. He was seen there by newspaper men, but would not say anything further than that he would be busy until Monday getting ready for his operations. He went out with Dr. Gibney and others before 8 o’clock. Professor Lorenz will spend to-day making preparations for his work here. He will consult with other surgeons, and may examine the children who are to be operated on.”

In “Lorenz Applauded By Noted Surgeons,” the Times followed up with an account of his first surgeries. It was quite a scene. An excerpt from that piece:

“The little room in which was the operating table was wholly occupied by spectators. Applause followed applause as Dr. Lorenz demonstrated his method. The expressions on the faces of the watching surgeons showed that they were intensely interested, and they were the chief applause givers.

It being Dr. Lorenz’s debut in New York, celebrated surgeons and physicians early gathered about the clinic of the hospital on Lexington Avenue. They were prominent, and were admitted to the operating room whether they had invitations or not. It was regarded as the most notable gathering of New York medical men, but they fought for admittance of the small amphitheatre like schoolboys would get into the circus.”

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