HF01-10: Urologic Education at the Turn of the 20th Century: A Student’s Perspective
Friday, May 3, 2024 3:35 PM to 3:42 PM · 7 min. (US/Central)
206
Abstract
History of Urology Forum
Information
Full Abstract and Figures
Author Block
Soum D Lokeshwar*, New Haven, CT, Devin M Shaheen, Rochester, MN, Ankur U Choksi, Mehal Patel, Syed N Rahman, Thomas V Martin, David G Hesse, Michael Leapman, New Haven, CT
Introduction
Prior to the modern era, there is a paucity of information on the curriculum of Urology for medical students. The objective of this study is to give a perspective on the medical education of Urology directly from a student’s notes in 1907.
Methods
Sources from the Yale Medical Library historical archives were analyzed and included the Samuel L Ridge collection of medical student notebooks from 1906 – 1907. 6 notebooks with 516 pages of classroom lecture notes and clinical case studies were preserved.
Results
Samuel Leroy Ridge (1885-1932) was born and passed in Langhorne PA, studying at Jefferson Medical College, and graduating in June of 1907. He was a general surgeon in PA. During WWI he was a Captain serving as a regiment surgeon in the 318th Infantry Regiment of the 80th Division from 1917-1919. The Genito-urinary subject covers 71 handwritten pages. The lessons were primarily disease-based beginning with nomenclature and definitions, then associated symptoms, physical presentations and finally management. Teachings were mainly on infections of the GU tract and nephrolithiasis. Case based learning was integral to the lessons. An 11/5/1906 entry describes a patient with “Syphilitic acne” of the body and associated enlarged groin glands. The treatment, as he wrote, involved administration of mercury for 3 months, an unspecified blue ointment for “24 rubbings”, and the use of potassium sulfate. GU lectures also involved surgical techniques, including a simple hydrocele described by Dr. Ridge as “marked swelling of scrotum, no pain, no impulse on coughing, no increase in size with abdominal pressure, translucent tumor”. The procedure was described broadly as cutting directly into the “sac” dissecting off the entire hydrocele, inverting the sac on the cord and exposing the “ball”, to prevent recurrence.
Conclusions
Medical education in the beginning of the 20th century included formalized disease and case-based learning on the GU system. First-hand clinical GU notes dated over 100 years ago provided a look into the educational intersection of urologic theory and practical application.
Source Of Funding
NA
Author Block
Soum D Lokeshwar*, New Haven, CT, Devin M Shaheen, Rochester, MN, Ankur U Choksi, Mehal Patel, Syed N Rahman, Thomas V Martin, David G Hesse, Michael Leapman, New Haven, CT
Introduction
Prior to the modern era, there is a paucity of information on the curriculum of Urology for medical students. The objective of this study is to give a perspective on the medical education of Urology directly from a student’s notes in 1907.
Methods
Sources from the Yale Medical Library historical archives were analyzed and included the Samuel L Ridge collection of medical student notebooks from 1906 – 1907. 6 notebooks with 516 pages of classroom lecture notes and clinical case studies were preserved.
Results
Samuel Leroy Ridge (1885-1932) was born and passed in Langhorne PA, studying at Jefferson Medical College, and graduating in June of 1907. He was a general surgeon in PA. During WWI he was a Captain serving as a regiment surgeon in the 318th Infantry Regiment of the 80th Division from 1917-1919. The Genito-urinary subject covers 71 handwritten pages. The lessons were primarily disease-based beginning with nomenclature and definitions, then associated symptoms, physical presentations and finally management. Teachings were mainly on infections of the GU tract and nephrolithiasis. Case based learning was integral to the lessons. An 11/5/1906 entry describes a patient with “Syphilitic acne” of the body and associated enlarged groin glands. The treatment, as he wrote, involved administration of mercury for 3 months, an unspecified blue ointment for “24 rubbings”, and the use of potassium sulfate. GU lectures also involved surgical techniques, including a simple hydrocele described by Dr. Ridge as “marked swelling of scrotum, no pain, no impulse on coughing, no increase in size with abdominal pressure, translucent tumor”. The procedure was described broadly as cutting directly into the “sac” dissecting off the entire hydrocele, inverting the sac on the cord and exposing the “ball”, to prevent recurrence.
Conclusions
Medical education in the beginning of the 20th century included formalized disease and case-based learning on the GU system. First-hand clinical GU notes dated over 100 years ago provided a look into the educational intersection of urologic theory and practical application.
Source Of Funding
NA
Sessions
History of Urology Forum
206