Some of Harvey Cushing's contributions to neurological surgery

O the older group of neurological surgeons in this country and abroad and to many members of the Society which is sponsoring the Journal of Neurosurgery, the name of Harvey Cushing has stood for a large proportion of the advances which have been made in this specialty since the time, some fifty years ago, when Sir Victor Horsley may be said to have established it as a separate branch of surgery. Indeed, a large number of those practicing neurosurgery today had the privilege of seeing Dr. Cushing at work, of hearing many of his addresses to medical societies, or of benefiting immediately by the contributions which he was making continuously to his chosen field. To those who followed his career and to others who have been concerned with the advances in neurological surgery, a recital of his outstanding accomplishments would be as out of place as it would be unnecessary, since they are well known alike to his pupils and to his many admirers. However, during the last decade a large, younger generation of neurosurgeons has arisen, and it is perhaps particularly to them that this communication may be of interest.