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'''George Washington "Barney" Crile Jr.''' (November 3, 1907 – September 11, 1992)<ref name="NYTCrile">{{cite news | title=Dr. George Crile Jr., 84, Foe Of Unneeded Surgery, Dies | work=[[New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/12/us/dr-george-crile-jr-84-foe-of-unneeded-surgery-dies.html| date=September 12, 1992 | accessdate=July 25, 2011 | author=Saxon, Wolfgang | pages=10}}</ref><ref name="CAO">"George Crile Jr." ''Contemporary Authors Online''. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 26 July 2011.</ref> was an American surgeon. He was a significant influence on how [[breast cancer]] is treated and was a visible and controversial advocate for alternative procedures.<ref name="NYTCrile"/><ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|6}}
'''George Washington "Barney" Crile Jr.''' (November 3, 1907 – September 11, 1992)<ref name="NYTCrile">{{cite news | title=Dr. George Crile Jr., 84, Foe Of Unneeded Surgery, Dies | work=[[New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/12/us/dr-george-crile-jr-84-foe-of-unneeded-surgery-dies.html| date=September 12, 1992 | accessdate=July 25, 2011 | author=Saxon, Wolfgang | pages=10}}</ref><ref name="CAO">"George Crile Jr." ''Contemporary Authors Online''. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 26 July 2011.</ref> was an American surgeon. He was a significant influence on how [[breast cancer]] is treated and was a visible and controversial advocate for alternative procedures.<ref name="NYTCrile"/><ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|6}}


==Early life and education==
Crile was the son of famous surgeon and founding partner of the [[Cleveland Clinic]], [[George Washington Crile]].
⚫
Crile was the son of famous surgeon and founding partner of the [[Cleveland Clinic]], [[George Washington Crile]].{{citation needed|}} After attending the [[University School]] and the [[Hotchkiss School]],<ref name="CancerWars">{{cite book|author=Lerner, Barron H.|title=The breast cancer wars: hope, fear, and the pursuit of a cure in twentieth-century America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ut0o3gwHRekC|accessdate=25 July 2011|date=15 March 2003|publisher=Oxford University Press US|isbn=978-0-19-516106-9}}</ref>{{rp|62}} Crile attended [[Yale University]], where he was on the [[American football|football]] and [[Track and field|track]] teams and was a member of [[Skull and Bones]].<ref name="Crile1992">{{cite book|author=George Crile|title=The way it was: sex, surgery, treasure, and travel, 1907-1987|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1O0o7onssq8C&pg=PA50|accessdate=26 July 2011|date=October 1992|publisher=Kent State University Press|isbn=978-0-87338-465-0}}</ref>{{rp|50}} He graduated in 1929.<ref name="CAO"/> He earned his [[M.D.]] from [[Harvard Medical School]] in 1933,<ref name="CAO"/> graduating ''[[summa cum laude]]''<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and first in his class.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|62}}


==Medical career==
⚫
After attending the [[University School]] and the [[Hotchkiss School]],<ref name="CancerWars">{{cite book|author=Lerner, Barron H.|title=The breast cancer wars: hope, fear, and the pursuit of a cure in twentieth-century America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ut0o3gwHRekC|accessdate=25 July 2011|date=15 March 2003|publisher=Oxford University Press US|isbn=978-0-19-516106-9}}</ref>{{rp|62}} Crile attended [[Yale University]], where he was on the [[American football|football]] and [[Track and field|track]] teams and was a member of [[Skull and Bones]].<ref name="Crile1992">{{cite book|author=George Crile|title=The way it was: sex, surgery, treasure, and travel, 1907-1987|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1O0o7onssq8C&pg=PA50|accessdate=26 July 2011|date=October 1992|publisher=Kent State University Press|isbn=978-0-87338-465-0}}</ref>{{rp|50}} He graduated in 1929.<ref name="CAO"/> He earned his [[M.D.]] from [[Harvard Medical School]] in 1933,<ref name="CAO"/> graduating ''[[summa cum laude]]''<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and first in his class.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|62}} He chose to [[Internship (medicine)|intern]] at the [[Barnes-Jewish Hospital|Barnes Hospital]] (1933–34) under surgeon [[Evarts Ambrose Graham]], noted for successfully removing a lung from a cancer patient.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|62}}
⚫
After graduating crile chose to [[Internship (medicine)|intern]] at the [[Barnes-Jewish Hospital|Barnes Hospital]] (1933–34) under surgeon [[Evarts Ambrose Graham]], noted for successfully removing a lung from a cancer patient.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|62}} He spent the rest of his medical career at the Cleveland Clinic. After his [[Residency (medicine)|residency]] there (1934–1937), he joined the surgical staff in 1937, served as head of the general surgery department (1956–1969), senior consultant (1969–1972), and emeritus consultant (1972–1992).<ref name="CAO"/>

⚫
He spent the rest of his medical career at the Cleveland Clinic. After his [[Residency (medicine)|residency]] there (1934–1937), he joined the surgical staff in 1937, served as head of the general surgery department (1956–1969), senior consultant (1969–1972), and emeritus consultant (1972–1992).<ref name="CAO"/>


During World War II, he served in the [[US Navy]] (1942–46), stationed at naval hospitals in [[San Diego]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} While in the Navy he researched on [[Appendicitis|ruptured appendixes]] and discovered that they were not as life-threatening as once believed. He therefore concluded that risky emergency [[Appendectomy|appendectomies]] on board [[submarine]]s may harm the patient more than help,<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and that the safer option was to employ [[penicillin]] until the patient could be evacuated to a superior hospital facility.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} He also developed a procedure for [[pilonidal cyst]]s, draining them with a [[catheter]] instead of the standard surgical excision.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} He later said "I came home from World War II convinced that operations in many fields of surgery were either too radical, or not even necessary. Universal acceptance of a procedure does not necessarily make it right."<ref name="NYTCrile"/>
During World War II, he served in the [[US Navy]] (1942–46), stationed at naval hospitals in [[San Diego]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} While in the Navy he researched on [[Appendicitis|ruptured appendixes]] and discovered that they were not as life-threatening as once believed. He therefore concluded that risky emergency [[Appendectomy|appendectomies]] on board [[submarine]]s may harm the patient more than help,<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and that the safer option was to employ [[penicillin]] until the patient could be evacuated to a superior hospital facility.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} He also developed a procedure for [[pilonidal cyst]]s, draining them with a [[catheter]] instead of the standard surgical excision.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|63}} He later said "I came home from World War II convinced that operations in many fields of surgery were either too radical, or not even necessary. Universal acceptance of a procedure does not necessarily make it right."<ref name="NYTCrile"/>


Crile turned his willingness to question orthodox procedures to [[breast cancer]]. The traditional treatment for breast cancer was a [[radical mastectomy]], a procedure which removes the entire breast as well as surrounding muscle, tissue, and [[lymph node]]s. Under the influence of Scottish surgeon [[Reginald Murley]] as well as one of his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic, he instead began to advocate procedures that removed much less material,<ref name="NYTCrile"/> a [[Mastectomy#Types|simple mastectomy]], which only removes the breast, and a [[lumpectomy]], which removes only a small amount of tissue. Crile performed his final radical mastectomy in 1954<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and became a public advocate of alternative procedures, which are now standard. In 1955, he published an article, "A Plea Against the Blind Fear of Cancer", in ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine and a book, ''Cancer and Common Sense''.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|64}} The medical establishment was resistant to the changes he advocated so he sought to influence them through their patients.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|64}} He was an outspoken critic of traditional procedures for decades and some of his patients, including author [[Babette Rosmond]], became public advocates as well.
Crile turned his willingness to question orthodox procedures to [[breast cancer]]. The traditional treatment for breast cancer was a [[radical mastectomy]], a procedure which removes the entire breast as well as surrounding muscle, tissue, and [[lymph node]]s. Under the influence of Scottish surgeon [[Reginald Murley]] as well as one of his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic, he instead began to advocate procedures that removed much less material,<ref name="NYTCrile"/> a [[Mastectomy#Types|simple mastectomy]], which only removes the breast, and a [[lumpectomy]], which removes only a small amount of tissue. Crile performed his final radical mastectomy in 1954<ref name="NYTCrile"/> and became a public advocate of alternative procedures, which are now standard. In 1955, he published an article, "A Plea Against the Blind Fear of Cancer", in ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine and a book, ''Cancer and Common Sense''.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|64}} The medical establishment was resistant to the changes he advocated so he sought to influence them through their patients.<ref name="CancerWars"/>{{rp|64}} He was an outspoken critic of traditional procedures for decades and some of his patients, including author [[Babette Rosmond]], became public advocates as well.{{citation needed|}}


⚫
Crile died of [[lung cancer]] at age 84.<ref name="NYTCrile"/>
⚫
Crile was an avid author on many subjects, especially medicine and travel.<ref name="NYTCrile"/> He had a weekly radio program in the 1980s called ''90 Seconds'' on [[WERE]].<ref name="CAO"/>


==Family==
Crile married Jane Halle in 1935. She died of cancer in 1963. They had three daughters and one son, [[CBS News]] producer [[George Crile III]].<ref name="NYTCrile"/><ref name="CAO"/> Their daughter Ann Crile married surgeon [[Caldwell Esselstyn]] and their son is author [[Rip Esselstyn]]. In 1963, Crile married his second wife, Helga Sandburg, the daughter of poet [[Carl Sandburg]].
Crile married Jane Halle in 1935. She died of cancer in 1963. They had three daughters and one son, [[CBS News]] producer [[George Crile III]].<ref name="NYTCrile"/><ref name="CAO"/> Their daughter Ann Crile married surgeon [[Caldwell Esselstyn]] and their son is author [[Rip Esselstyn]]. In 1963, Crile married his second wife, Helga Sandburg, the daughter of poet [[Carl Sandburg]].{{citation needed|}}


==Publications==
⚫
Crile died of [[lung cancer]] at age 84.<ref name="NYTCrile"/>
⚫
Crile was an avid author on many subjects, especially medicine and travel.<ref name="NYTCrile"/> He had a weekly radio program in the 1980s called ''90 Seconds'' on [[WERE]].<ref name="CAO"/>

==Bibliography==


* ''The Hospital Care of the Surgical Patient: A Surgeon's Handbook'' (with Franklin L. Shively Jr.), C. C Thomas, 1943
* ''The Hospital Care of the Surgical Patient: A Surgeon's Handbook'' (with Franklin L. Shively Jr.), C. C Thomas, 1943

Revision as of 14:22, 26 December 2020

George Washington "Barney" Crile Jr. (November 3, 1907 – September 11, 1992)[1][2] was an American surgeon. He was a significant influence on how breast cancer is treated and was a visible and controversial advocate for alternative procedures.[1][3]: 6 

Early life and education

Crile was the son of famous surgeon and founding partner of the Cleveland Clinic, George Washington Crile.[citation needed] After attending the University School and the Hotchkiss School,[3]: 62  Crile attended Yale University, where he was on the football and track teams and was a member of Skull and Bones.[4]: 50  He graduated in 1929.[2] He earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1933,[2] graduating summa cum laude[1] and first in his class.[3]: 62 

Medical career

After graduating crile chose to intern at the Barnes Hospital (1933–34) under surgeon Evarts Ambrose Graham, noted for successfully removing a lung from a cancer patient.[3]: 62  He spent the rest of his medical career at the Cleveland Clinic. After his residency there (1934–1937), he joined the surgical staff in 1937, served as head of the general surgery department (1956–1969), senior consultant (1969–1972), and emeritus consultant (1972–1992).[2]

During World War II, he served in the US Navy (1942–46), stationed at naval hospitals in San Diego and New Zealand.[3]: 63  While in the Navy he researched on ruptured appendixes and discovered that they were not as life-threatening as once believed. He therefore concluded that risky emergency appendectomies on board submarines may harm the patient more than help,[1] and that the safer option was to employ penicillin until the patient could be evacuated to a superior hospital facility.[3]: 63  He also developed a procedure for pilonidal cysts, draining them with a catheter instead of the standard surgical excision.[3]: 63  He later said "I came home from World War II convinced that operations in many fields of surgery were either too radical, or not even necessary. Universal acceptance of a procedure does not necessarily make it right."[1]

Crile turned his willingness to question orthodox procedures to breast cancer. The traditional treatment for breast cancer was a radical mastectomy, a procedure which removes the entire breast as well as surrounding muscle, tissue, and lymph nodes. Under the influence of Scottish surgeon Reginald Murley as well as one of his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic, he instead began to advocate procedures that removed much less material,[1] a simple mastectomy, which only removes the breast, and a lumpectomy, which removes only a small amount of tissue. Crile performed his final radical mastectomy in 1954[1] and became a public advocate of alternative procedures, which are now standard. In 1955, he published an article, "A Plea Against the Blind Fear of Cancer", in Life magazine and a book, Cancer and Common Sense.[3]: 64  The medical establishment was resistant to the changes he advocated so he sought to influence them through their patients.[3]: 64  He was an outspoken critic of traditional procedures for decades and some of his patients, including author Babette Rosmond, became public advocates as well.[citation needed]

Crile died of lung cancer at age 84.[1]

Family

Crile married Jane Halle in 1935. She died of cancer in 1963. They had three daughters and one son, CBS News producer George Crile III.[1][2] Their daughter Ann Crile married surgeon Caldwell Esselstyn and their son is author Rip Esselstyn. In 1963, Crile married his second wife, Helga Sandburg, the daughter of poet Carl Sandburg.[citation needed]

Publications

Crile was an avid author on many subjects, especially medicine and travel.[1] He had a weekly radio program in the 1980s called 90 Seconds on WERE.[2]

  • The Hospital Care of the Surgical Patient: A Surgeon's Handbook (with Franklin L. Shively Jr.), C. C Thomas, 1943
  • Practical Aspects of Thyroid Disease, Saunders, 1949.
  • Treasure-Diving Holidays (with Jane Crile), Viking, 1954.
  • Cancer and Common Sense, Viking, 1955.
  • More Than Booty (with Jane Crile), McGraw, 1965.
  • A Biological Consideration of Treatment of Breast Cancer, C. C Thomas, 1967.
  • A Naturalistic View of Man: The Importance of Early Training in Learning, Living, and the Organization of Society, World Publishing, 1969.
  • Above and Below: A Journey Through Our National Underwater Parks (with Helga Sandburg), McGraw, 1969.
  • What Women Should Know About the Breast Cancer Controversy, Macmillan, 1973.
  • Surgery, Your Choices, Your Alternatives, Delacorte, 1978.
  • The Way It Was: Sex, Surgery, Treasure, and Travel, 1907–1987, Kent State University Press, 1992.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Saxon, Wolfgang (September 12, 1992). "Dr. George Crile Jr., 84, Foe Of Unneeded Surgery, Dies". New York Times. p. 10. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "George Crile Jr." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 26 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lerner, Barron H. (15 March 2003). The breast cancer wars: hope, fear, and the pursuit of a cure in twentieth-century America. Oxford University Press US. ISBN 978-0-19-516106-9. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  4. ^ George Crile (October 1992). The way it was: sex, surgery, treasure, and travel, 1907-1987. Kent State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87338-465-0. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
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