Walter Putnam BLOUNT1900–1992

year he published a description of his method of treating urethral strictures by the use of graduated bougies, the first of several significant contribu- tions to urology. In an article published in Novem- ber 1846, he described his experience with the use of ether anesthesia as an anesthesia for surgical procedures. His remark at the time of the first operation using ether anesthesia echoed around the world: “Gentlemen, this is no humbug!”

Among his many interests was an enduring fascination with the hip joint. This led, in 1869, to the publication of his book, The Mechanism of Dislocation and Fracture of the Hip: With the Reduction of the Dislocations by the Flexion Method. In this volume, he described the thick- ened portion of the anterior capsule, which has become known as the Y ligament of Bigelow.

Bigelow became Professor of Surgery at the Harvard Medical School in 1846 and held this position until 1882. During his long tenure he exercised the power of his position to dominate the surgical scene in Boston.

President of the Women’s National Medical Asso- ciation. Blount’s sister also studied medicine and practiced pediatrics in Chicago.

Blount graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and in 1928 he went to London for postgraduate study. His experience gained from visits to European clinics stimulated his interest in the treatment of scolio- sis, an area to which he made enormous contribu- tions later in his career. On his return to the United States, Blount joined the established practice of Dr. Frederick Gaenslen of Milwaukee. Through his association with Dr. Gaenslen, Blount became acquainted with other distinguished orthopedists such as Elliott Brackett, Ned Ryerson, and Fremont Chandler, all of whom influenced his development as an orthopedic surgeon.

Blount became chief of the Milwaukee Chil- dren’s Hospital, where he treated patients with bone and joint tuberculosis, poliomyelitis and scoliosis. The problem of leg length equalization in patients with poliomyelitis led him to introduce the use of staples, a much “simpler” operation than epiphysiodesis, to control growth on the uninvolved side. His work on scoliosis is worth mentioning. The Milwaukee brace developed by Blount became known throughout the world and still is used as the primary treatment for patients with scoliosis.

Blount became Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Marquette University School of Medicine when Gaenslen retired. He received international recognition for his work and from 1955 to 1956, Blount was President of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Blount was a popular speaker at orthopedic meet- ings and one of his favorite lectures was on the treatment of fractures in children.

Blount believed strongly in nonoperative treat- ment and the benefits of subsequent skeletal growth and remodeling. Blount was one of the first to show the significance of old fractures as an indication of child abuse. The full exposition of his ideas can be found in his book,

which set the standard for the treatment of children’s frac- tures for an entire generation of orthopedic surgeons.

Reference

1. Blount WP (1954) Fractures in Children. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, Co.

29

Who’s Who in Orthopedics

Walter Putnam BLOUNT

1900–1992

Walter P. Blount was born in Oak Park, IL. His

father was a high school teacher in Chicago. It

is not surprising that Blount studied medicine,

because his grandfather was a surgeon during the

Civil War and his mother was a practicing physi-

cian in Oak Park. Blount’s mother was active in

the American Medical Association and became