Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Pipers of Pueblo

The late Willis E. Piper grew up in the 19th century and adhered to the New England work ethic. He became a farm worker, carpenter, teacher, cowboy, contractor, and finally a commissioner of Yellowstone County in Montana.

His book covers a period in the Old West when settling and homestead building were beginning. The author relates details of the roundups, the mining in the mountains of Colorado, and the various jobs the Pipers held to support their families. Although the story begins in New Hampshire, the development of the Piper Company occurred in Pueblo. Willis Piper and his brothers did considerable work in and around Pueblo, then branched out taking contracts in Montana. He finally settled in Long Beach, California. He wrote this memoir in 1937 and only recently have his descendants decided to have it published.

Escape from Slovenia

This book was written by Joseph Kovacic, MD. He sent the manuscript to me so I helped expedite its publication. The book is about Dr. Kovacic's successful escape from the Communist regime of President Tito. His ordeal is graphically portrayed as he and his native countrymen fought their way out of the country. His escape entailed dealing with adverse forces of Yugoslavia, Germany, and England.
He is a retired orthopedic surgeon who was trained both in Europe and America. He became an anatomy instructor and clinician while serving in the U.S. Army.

A California Bonesetter's Autobiography

Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Bill Howland, MD tells his story of growing up in western Massachusetts and eventually settling in Redding, California, where he practiced orthopedic surgery for twenty-eight years. In between those times there were trips to foreign countries as well as life in the cities of New Haven, New York City, San Francisco, and Denver. During this time he also became a father of five. He also tells about his children and their eventual occupations as they settle in California and Oregon, and about some of the more illustrious doctors who practiced in Redding.

Life and Lectures of Lent Johnson, MD



                                               SYNOPSIS

The Life and Lectures of Lent Johnson, M. D.  arose because of my high regard for this pathologist who was chief of pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) for 50 years. The AFIP is the referral center for all tissues taken from members of the military. By peering through his microscope at samples sent to him by referring surgeons, Dr. Johnson became the final judge of the disease that afflicted the person from whom the tissue was taken.
This book would be of interest to any prospective orthopedic surgeon and any other person interested in the workings of the human body. Dr. Johnson’s concepts, which include the basic understanding of cell physiology to the glomoid apparatus, have not hitherto been published in any single publication. It is possible that orgasms and hot flashes are products of the integrated glomoid network. 

A History of Orthopedics



                                                                SYNOPSIS

A History of Orthopedics portrays the beginning of orthopedic surgery from ancient times to the current era. It follows the gradual development of a specialty from Egypt to the European continent and England and from there to the United States of America.  After the discovery of anesthesia and x-rays in the 19th century, a more rapid development of surgical endeavors led to the current situation where arthroscopy could view and treat deranged joint mechanics, and painful arthritic joints could be replaced. Many of the important persons who helped reach this current state are listed with their contributions.  Whereas in the 19th century orthopedic surgery was still considered part of general surgery, in the 20th century the two specialties became separated. In addition, there was a struggle between conservative practitioners (the “Strap and Buckle” doctors) and those who felt surgical intervention provided better results