title: Paul Brand (1914-2003): the surgeon who recognized the importance of pain.
abstract: Paul Brand was a leading contributor to the study of leprosy, a disease that is a major scourge of the developing world. In the course of his analysis of the deformity associated with leprosy he began to realize the importance of pain as a protective mechanism for which all should be grateful. His studies of biomechanics followed from his analyses of tendon function. Brand's work on leprosy was subsequently extended to other important conditions including diabetes mellitus and spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Christian Medical College, Vellore. ashis.banerjee@bcf.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Ashis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banerjee
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000266:history* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000266:history*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*