Charles Theodore Parkes / [A. Ochsner].

  • Alton Ochsner
Date:
[1923]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Charles Theodore Parkes / [A. Ochsner]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ROY Wtu<J >- COLLECTION. Reprint from SURGERY, GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS April, iQ2j, pages 578-581 CHARLES THEODORE PARKES By A. J. OCHSNER, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chicago DURING the years immediately following the beginning of antiseptic surgery, a group of young surgeons appeared in America with quite unusual qualifications—men with boundless energy, unflinching per- severence, absolute honesty of purpose, clearness of judgment, exalted enthusi¬ asm, and an intense desire to advance to the highest surgical excellence. Many of these surgeons were splendid anatomists and excellent practitioners of general medicine, but had not enjoyed the benefits of a university education. In many cases, however, the student had engaged in teaching public school, or had broadened his mind by contact with men of ability during service in the army in our Civil War. These men were hardy and clear-headed, unafraid of hardships or hard work. What they lacked in scientific training they made up in character and personality, and in those individual characteristics which enable men to accom¬ plish unusual ends, and to leave a lasting impression upon their fellow workers and upon their community. The most brilliant and withal the most lovable and attractive, and in his personality the most distinguished of all the surgeons of this group, was Dr. Charles T. Parkes of Chicago. Physically large and powerful, he was able to perform an unbelievable amount of work. Mentally a giant, he was able to grasp the surgical problems of his day with a clearness and precision which have rarely been equalled among the many great surgeons whose work I have been privileged to observe. His success depended primarily upon natural ability, personality, industry, and perseverence, but his environment and education aided greatly in bringing about such unusual results. For generations his father’s people were iron-workers in Stratfordshire, England. His mother’s family had migrated to England from Brittany. His parents came to America in the late twenties of the past century. His father engaged in the production of iron, becoming half owner of one of the largest iron works in the west, located at St. Louis, Missouri. During these years young Parkes enjoyed educational advantages in private and public schools, interrupted attendance at high school and 2 years at Ann Arbor University. The panic in the late fifties swept away his father’s fortune, 1 Published by Surgical Pul). Co., Chicago, U.S.A.