Roy Glenwood Spurling
Encyclopedia
Roy Glenwood Spurling was an American
neurosurgeon remembered for describing Spurling's test
.
(B.A.
1920, M.A.
1923) and Harvard Medical School
, receiving his M.D.
with honours in 1923. He undertook his internship at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital
under Harvey Cushing
, who inspired him to practice neurosurgery. He became neurosurgical consultant to the Louisville General Hospital in 1925, during his surgical residency
. He founded the neurosurgery service at the University of Louisville
medical school in 1926, and remained in charge there until he retired in 1960. He formed the American Association of Neurological Surgeons
in 1931, becoming president in 1934, and was one of the founder members, and later president, of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He published Practical Neurological Diagnosis, with Special Reference to Problems of Neurosurgery in 1935.
During the Second World War he was the first Chief of Neurosurgery at the Walter Reed General Hospital
and organised the neurosurgical service for the United States Army
while serving as Assistant Chief of General Surgery. He was posted to London
in March 1944 with responsibility for neurosurgery in the European theatre
. While travelling home in 1945 he was summoned to return to France to attend General Patton
, at the request of Patton's wife, after the car accident that caused Patton's death.
He became an editor of the Journal of Neurosurgery during the Second World War, and later became chairman of the editorial board, remaining an advisor until his death. He was awarded an honorary D.Sc.
in 1957 by the University of Missouri, and was given the title Distinguished Professor of Neurological Surgery by the University of Louisville on his retirement.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
neurosurgeon remembered for describing Spurling's test
Spurling's test
Spurling's test is a very specific, but not sensitive physical examination maneuver in diagnosing cervical spondylosis or acute cervical radiculopathy...
.
Biography
Roy Spurling studied at the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
(B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
1920, M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
1923) and Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
, receiving his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
with honours in 1923. He undertook his internship at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital is the largest hospital of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Boston, Massachusetts. It is directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School of which it is the second largest teaching affiliate with 793 beds...
under Harvey Cushing
Harvey Cushing
Harvey Williams Cushing, M.D. , was an American neurosurgeon and a pioneer of brain surgery, and the first to describe Cushing's syndrome...
, who inspired him to practice neurosurgery. He became neurosurgical consultant to the Louisville General Hospital in 1925, during his surgical residency
Residency (medicine)
Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident is a person who has received a medical degree , Podiatric degree , Dental Degree and who practices...
. He founded the neurosurgery service at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
medical school in 1926, and remained in charge there until he retired in 1960. He formed the American Association of Neurological Surgeons
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons is a professional body based in the United States with more than 8,000 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public...
in 1931, becoming president in 1934, and was one of the founder members, and later president, of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He published Practical Neurological Diagnosis, with Special Reference to Problems of Neurosurgery in 1935.
During the Second World War he was the first Chief of Neurosurgery at the Walter Reed General Hospital
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
and organised the neurosurgical service for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
while serving as Assistant Chief of General Surgery. He was posted to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in March 1944 with responsibility for neurosurgery in the European theatre
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
. While travelling home in 1945 he was summoned to return to France to attend General Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
, at the request of Patton's wife, after the car accident that caused Patton's death.
He became an editor of the Journal of Neurosurgery during the Second World War, and later became chairman of the editorial board, remaining an advisor until his death. He was awarded an honorary D.Sc.
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
in 1957 by the University of Missouri, and was given the title Distinguished Professor of Neurological Surgery by the University of Louisville on his retirement.