Paul Clairmont and his connections to American surgery.

PURPOSE

To examine the life and influences of Paul Clairmont (1875-1942).

METHOD

Review and analysis of published and archival information.

RESULTS

The Clairmont family was associated with famous individuals in English literary history. Paul Clairmont himself was born, educated, and trained as a surgeon under Anton von Eiselsberg in Vienna. As a junior faculty member in 1908, he was the first general surgeon to publish a report for German readers on the remarkable progress of American surgery. Later, as Professor of Surgery in Zürich, he was a mentor to Alton Ochsner, who became a leader in the further development of surgery in the USA.

CONCLUSION

Paul Clairmont's interesting life was an important link between the classical science and practice of surgery in Europe and its continuation in America.