In Prof. Lorenz's hands excellent results have been secured, and his visit to this country will no doubt popularize his method. In treating club feet he employs what he calls the bloodless modeling method, which consists in stretching the ligaments and shaping the foot according to the requirements of each case until it is readily placed in normal position. It is held in this position with a cast, and in two or three days the child is per'mitted to walk and run. "It is this walking and running," he says, "that makes the cure perfect; the child trots the bones into place and completes the cure."

EPHRAIM MCDOWELL, M. D.

The historic building in which Ephraim McDowell performed the first ovariotomy is about to be torn down or removed to make way for a modern building. The proposed demolition of this memorable homestead has been the occasion of a most interesting article published in June number of the Physician and Surgeon of Detroit, from the pen of Dr. W. L. Lowder.* It will certainly be to the lasting regret of the profession of Kentucky and the whole country if this historic old building shall be permitted to perish. We trust that the original intention of the profession of that state to purchase the building and its site if possible, and preserve them as treasures in memory of their famous occupant has been or may yet be carried out. Kentucky's physicians have, as Dr. Lowder says, ever been ready and willing to aid in all laudable undertakings for the benefit of medicine and its votaries.

The handsome shaft in Danville churchyard-erected by the profession of the state, bears lasting testimony of the loyalty of its donors."

The accompanying cut is a good illustration of the historic old building as it appears today. It was a "model house in its day," but for many years has been used as a tenement. It was here that the spirit of independence and determination filled the soul of Ephraim McDowell, and he performed the first deliberately planned ovariotomy-an operation which may be considered the boldest innovation of modern surgery-"Beneath this timeworn roof," says Dr. Lowder, "was laid the foundation of a great revolution" in surgery, "and as a consequence there

goes forth a benediction to every hamlet in the known world; from every hearthstone there returns a blessing to the memory and the last resting place of the father of ovariotomy." So intolerant was this pioneer community that an excited and angry mob sought to prevent the operation.

The sheriff of the county at that time interfered and effected a compromise, if such it might be called, in which he stated that in case the patient recovered from the effects of the operation all would be well with him, but in case she succumbed to the results of the surgical procedure about to take place, he would be at the hands of a merciless mob. Alone, without precedent for his pro

posed operation, unsustained by sympathy or advice, far removed from his distinguished Edinburg professor who had inspired him with confidence in the possibility of removing such tumors, undaunted by the uplifted hands of protestation, impelled by faith in his art, and the hope of doing good, he went on with the operation. It was done without an anesthetic, and successfully done. The patient who had thus entrusted her life in his hands

HOUSE IN WHICH DR. MCDOWELL PERFORMED THE FIRST OVARIOTOMY IN DECEMBER, 1809.†

was Mrs. Crawford, who had come sixty miles through the wilds of that new country for relief. She lived thirty-two years after the operation.

Dr. Ephraim McDowell, regarded in his day as the greatest surgeon in Kentucky, was born in Virginia, November 11, 1771, and died at Danville, Kentucky, June 20, 1830. He was a great uncle of Dr. Starling Loving and of Major General Irwin McDowell, the latter's father being at one time mayor of this city. Many relatives of the McDowell family still live in Columbus.

He was educated at Georgetown, Ky., studied medicine in the University of Edinburgh and for a time was a private pupil

of one of the most eminent lecturers and skillful operators of his day, Dr. John Bell, who constantly urged the possibility of removing ovarian tumors by ventral section.

MONUMENT ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF MCDOWELL BY THE KENTUCKY STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.t

The ancient churchyard in which the monument stands is now known as McDowell park. The stately shaft has on its face

a medallion of McDowell, and beneath it the inscription, "A Grateful Profession Reveres His Memory and Treasures His Example." Besides the record of birth, death, location and time of the first operation these words are inscribed on the monument: "Beneath this Shaft Rests the Remains of Ephraim McDowell, M. D., the Father of Ovariotomy." "By Originating a Great Surgical Operation, He Became a Benefactor of His Race, Known and Honored Throughout the Civilized World."

Dr. McDowell performed one operation for abdominal tumor in Ohio. The patient was a Mrs. Delano, who was operated upon about the first of January, 1827. Details of the operation furnished by Dr. Drake may be found in Gross's History of Surgery in Kentucky and also in Dr. J. W. Hamilton's report of "Ovariotomy in Ohio."

"The Passing of the Historic McDowell Building at Danville, Kentucky," from which we have quoted freely in this article. † For the three accompanying photoengravings we are indebted to the editors of THE PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON of Detroit, and Ann Arbor, Mich., who kindly loaned us their original plates.

THE CLOSING NUMBER.

This number closes the twenty-sixth volume of the COLUMBUS MEDICAL JOURNAL. We embrace the opportunity of thanking our contributors for the valuable original articles that have been so kindly placed at our disposal, and our subscribers and advertisers for their continued support. Especially do we appreciate the papers of scientific interest that have graced our pages-and we count in this class not only those that represent laboratory research, but also those that are the result of painstaking observation at the bedside.

Certainly the man who, in the light of all that the pure medical sciences can furnish, applies the remedy in curing disease and in prolonging life, is no less scientific than he who works in the laboratory for the perfection of these sciences. They are both engaged in a common work whose purpose is the prevention and cure of disease and the betterment of the condition of

man.

The busy practitioners have furnished their full share of original papers, but there has been a dearth of articles of a more purely scientific nature from the local profession. We trust that during the coming year we shall have no fewer practical papers, no falling off in the number of clinical notes, symposia, or reports