Robin Cornell, An uncommon thread - The story of the “catgut men”
- Cornell, Robin
- Date:
- 09 Dec 2015
- Reference:
- MS9192/1
- Part of:
- Robin Cornell, An uncommon thread - The story of the “catgut men”
- Archives and manuscripts
About this work
Description
Unpublished draft with illustrations looking at the lives and discoveries of six pioneeers in the development of the surgical sutures industry. These men were termed 'catgut' men as they worked with sutures for surgical use made from surplus animal tissues, generically known as catgut. These sutures dissolved in the human body when healing was complete. Together with other medical advances, they expanded the scope of surgery dramatically, creating a platform for yet further progress when synthetic replacements arrived in the 1980’s.
Includes details of Lord Joseph Lister; Charles Davis, founder of the American company Davis & Geck; George F. Merson, founder of G.F.Mersons Limited; Henry P. Morley, who worked for London Hosptial; Robert Wood Johnson II, son of one of the three brothers who founded Johnson & Johnson; and Leonard Bailey, who worked for Ethicon UK in Scotland.