Robert Bartholow
Encyclopedia
Robert Bartholow or Roberts Bartholow (November 28, 1831 – 1904) was an American physician from New Windsor
, Maryland. He earned his degree in medicine from the University of Maryland
in 1852. From 1855 to 1864 he was a surgeon in the U.S. Army. From 1864 to 1879 he was a professor at the Medical College of Ohio in Cincinnati. Afterwards he was a professor at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
He is known for his application of Faradic electrical currents to the exposed dura
of a patient. In 1874, Bartholow was presented with a 30-year-old patient named Mary Rafferty who had a 2 inches (50.8 mm) hole in her skull caused by a cancerous ulcer. Inspired by the localized testing of animals' brains done by neurologist
David Ferrier
, Bartholow applied a small electrical current to different sections of Ms. Rafferty's exposed brain and noticed that it caused movements in various parts of her body. Also, the low electrical current he applied to the brain did not seem to cause her any pain. However, when Bartholow applied a larger amount of current, Mary Rafferty became distressed, experienced convulsions and went into a coma. She revived from the coma three days later, but unfortunately the following day she had a major seizure and died.
Although Bartholow was criticized for his experimentation by the American Medical Association
, he did not suffer professionally; in 1893 he attained the title of Professor Emeritus at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
New Windsor, Maryland
New Windsor is a town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,303 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Westminster, which is about 6 miles east of New Windsor on Maryland Route 31. It contains many neighborhoods, the most known being the 100-acre Atlee Ridge, or "The...
, Maryland. He earned his degree in medicine from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, Baltimore
University of Maryland, Baltimore, was founded in 1807. It comprises some of the oldest professional schools in the nation and world. It is the original campus of the University System of Maryland. Located on 60 acres in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, it is part of the University System of Maryland...
in 1852. From 1855 to 1864 he was a surgeon in the U.S. Army. From 1864 to 1879 he was a professor at the Medical College of Ohio in Cincinnati. Afterwards he was a professor at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
He is known for his application of Faradic electrical currents to the exposed dura
Dura mater
The dura mater , or dura, is the outermost of the three layers of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is derived from Mesoderm. The other two meningeal layers are the pia mater and the arachnoid mater. The dura surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and is responsible for...
of a patient. In 1874, Bartholow was presented with a 30-year-old patient named Mary Rafferty who had a 2 inches (50.8 mm) hole in her skull caused by a cancerous ulcer. Inspired by the localized testing of animals' brains done by neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
David Ferrier
David Ferrier
Sir David Ferrier, FRS was a pioneering Scottish neurologist and psychologist.-Life:Ferrier was born in Woodside, Aberdeen and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School before studying for an MA at Aberdeen University...
, Bartholow applied a small electrical current to different sections of Ms. Rafferty's exposed brain and noticed that it caused movements in various parts of her body. Also, the low electrical current he applied to the brain did not seem to cause her any pain. However, when Bartholow applied a larger amount of current, Mary Rafferty became distressed, experienced convulsions and went into a coma. She revived from the coma three days later, but unfortunately the following day she had a major seizure and died.
Although Bartholow was criticized for his experimentation by the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
, he did not suffer professionally; in 1893 he attained the title of Professor Emeritus at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
Sources
- The Concept of Bioelectromagnetism
- Mind as Mosaic {The Robot in the Machine} pp. 113-114; Bruce H. Hinrichs