wire device
wire device
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- Description
- This wire device is part of an accession of objects connected with Dr. Robert Abbe [b. April 13, 1851; d. March 7, 1928], a surgeon and early proponent of radiotherapy. It is believed, but not confirmed, that Abbe used this device to apply radium to his patients.
- In 1903, Dr. Abbe started experimenting with radium on seeds, animals, himself, and patients, becoming one of the first American physicians to do so. He found success in treating some abnormal growths and cancers, publishing his findings and becoming an authority in the field of radiotherapy. Abbe was a surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital in New York. Near the end of his life, Abbe suffered from the effects of aplastic anemia, likely caused by years of radium exposure, requiring regular blood transfusions.
- Abbe, R., “Radium and Radio-Activity," Yale Medical Journal 10 (1904) p. 436-447.
- Gibson, C., "Robert Abbe 1851-1928," Annals of Surgery 88 (1928) p. 794-797.
- Stark, R., "Robert Abbe: Pioneer in Plastic Surgery," Bull. N. Y. Acad. Med. 31 (1955) p. 927-950.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Wire Device
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- yellow (overall color)
- metal (overall material)
- ID Number
- 1993.0262.12
- catalog number
- 1993.0262.12
- accession number
- 1993.0262
- Credit Line
- Gift of New York Academy of Medicine, through Steven A. Pelovitz, Vice President for Management and Fiscal Affairs
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Pharmacy
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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