Ephraim McDowell: the qualities of a good surgeon.
OBJECTIVE
To identify those personal qualities which enabled Dr. Ephraim McDowell to be successful as the first surgeon in the world to remove a large ovarian tumor.


BACKGROUND
Dr. McDowell, in 1809 and before anesthesia or antisepsis, removed a large ovarian tumor from his patient, Jane Todd Crawford, who then survived 33 years.


METHODS
Existing histories and accounts of Ephraim McDowell's life and operations were sifted for his personal qualities. A visit to the McDowell House and family 200 reunion in Danville, Kentucky, added details.


RESULTS
Qualities of confidence, compassion, courage, commitment, communication, courtesy, and especially cleanliness have been identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Those qualities attributed to Ephraim McDowell perhaps were instrumental in his successes. Those basic qualities are still important for surgeons today.
Othersen
H Biemann
HB
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Suite 418 CSB, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250613, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. othershb@musc.edu
D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000266:history