'Plastic Surgery of the Face' by Harold Gillies, London, England, 1920
The First World War saw many thousands of horrific injuries to the face, the treatment of which advanced the discipline of reconstructive surgery. The author of this book, Harold Gillies (1882-1960), served as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during the First World War and was a pioneer in the treatment of such injuries. He was also one of the first plastic surgeons to take into account the patient’s appearance after surgery rather than just repairing the damage. A centre for treatment of facial injuries was set up in Aldershot, Hampshire in 1915 and was moved to Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup, just outside London, in 1918. After the war, the department expanded to cover all forms of reconstructive surgery including burns, limb injuries and birth defects.
Object number:
E2008.86.9
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Glossary:
Glossary: book
A written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers. Usually continuous printing or writing.
Glossary: plastic surgery
A surgical speciality dealing with the restoration or construction of the body. Often used to refer to elective surgery done for aesthetic reasons.