History of the Lahey Clinic department of neurosurgery.

THIS HISTORY OF one of the early departments of neurosurgery provides some perspective on the changing practice of this specialty during its formative years. Under the guidance of James L. Poppen and Gilbert Horrax, the Department of Neurosurgery at the Lahey Clinic assumed a prominent role in extending Harvey Cushing's methods, enlightened by Poppen's techniques, many of which were ahead of their time, and provided inspiration to the next generations of neurosurgeons. Although the pattern of neurosurgery has changed remarkably in the past 70 years, basic principles have remained much the same.