The life of Dr. Masao Sumita (1878-1946), a founder of modern orthopaedic surgery in Kyushu.
The life of Dr. Masao Sumita, who was the first professor of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Kyushu University in Fukuoka during 1912-1925, was one of the founders of modern orthopaedic surgery in Japan. His technique of operative procedures had gained a national reputation, and the successful results of his operations of arthroplasty in over 300 joints, along with his other enormous academic achievements were reported. However, he was accused of conducting private clinic activities outside the university hospital, which was considered illegal as a national public official. The free attitude to medical practice that he had experienced during his stay in European countries, where conducting private clinic work, even outside the national university was approved, led to this unjustifiable incident in Japan. He was subsequently purged from the university due to this accusation. In his family life he was survived by his wife and four children. His life story seemed to the author to be a drama with rise and fall. Consequently, the author would like to reveal Sumita's outstanding academic achievements and real personal image as an ingenious surgeon and scholar, in spite of the sorrowful aspect of his life.
Kobayashi
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D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007564:Japan; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000266:history*