Download File - Dr. Alfred Blalock: Healing the Blues

Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
Altman, Lawrence K. "Dr. Helen Taussig, 87, Dies; Led in Blue Baby Operation." New York
Times 22 May 1986: B16. Print. This article from the New York Times tells of Dr. Helen
Taussig's death in 1986. Dr. Taussig was a pediatrician at John Hopkins who helped Dr.
Blalock develop the first ideas of the Blue Baby surgery. The article gave us some
background information on Dr. Taussig. In addition, it also provided some knowledge
about Dr. Taussig and the long-term effects of Dr. Blalock's surgical advances.
"Award to 'Blue Baby' Doctors." New York Times 24 June 1948: 27. Print. This article explains
that Dr. Alfred Blalock along with Dr. Helen Taussig, were awarded the Passano
Foundation award. The honor was awarded for the outstanding accomplishments and
leadership of the Blue Baby Operation. The article helped demonstrate how impactful
the operation was.
Blalock, Alfred, Rollins C. Hanlon, and William H. Scott. "The Surgical Treatment of
Congenital Cyanotic Heart Disease." Scientific Monthly 69.6 (1949): 360-67. Print. This
paper is an in-depth explanation of Cyanotic heart disease published in the Scientific
Monthly. Dr. Blalock is one of the authors. The paper provides a large amount of
background information about Cyanotic heart disease as well as information about
surgical treatment.
"'Blue Baby' Flying Home." New York Times 10 Dec. 1947: 23. Print. This article tells the story
of Josette Dominici, a seven-year-old Paris resident who was diagnosed with tetralogy of
Fallot. Dominici flew to Baltimore to be operated on by Dr. Blalock at Johns Hopkins
University in order to correct the congenital condition. This article demonstrates the
world-known importance and impact of Dr. Blalock's work and legacy.
"'Blue Baby' Held Cured: French Girl, 8, Is Flying Home after Operation in the US." New York
Times 14 Sept. 1947: 63. Print. This article explains that Michele Rannou, a eight-yearold Paris girl flew to the United States in order to be operated on by Dr. Blalock. The
article briefly explains the operation that Dr. Blalock performed. Also, it explains that
the operation could not have been performed in France.
"Blue Baby Operation Exhibit." The Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives. Johns Hopkins
Medical Institutions, 28 Aug. 1996. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.medicalarchives.jhmi.edu/page1.htm>. We were able to use numerous
pictures from this exhibit to illustrate the Blue Baby Operation.
"The Blue Baby Operation - Then and Now." Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Johns Hopkins
University, 2007. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/tpl_news.aspx?id=2502>. We used this website to
retrieve multiple photographs to enhance our website.
"'Blue' Youth Gains after Operation." New York Times 24 Nov. 1946: 50. Print. This article
explains that Abraham Sherman, a twenty-four year old at the time, was believed to be
the second oldest person to be aided by the blue baby surgery. In addition, it also
explains that Sherman had received many positive effects from the surgery. The article
mentions that most cyanotic children do not live to adulthood. Sherman had overcome
those odds and his chances of survival were increased by the surgery.
Campbell, Maurice. "Late Results of Operations for Fallot's Tetralogy." British Medical Journal
2.5106 (1958): 1175-84. Print. This article, published in the British Medical Journal in
1958, explains the late results of Dr. Russell Brock's operation on tetralogy of Fallot. Dr.
Brock used different techniques to correct Fallot's tetralogy. The statistics in the article
proved that Dr. Blalock's technique and surgical results were more successful and
superior to Dr. Brock's results.
Cooley, Denton A., M.D. "Surgical Mentors." Texas Heart Institute Journal 36.5 (2009): 43334. Print. This article, written by Dr. Denton Cooley, describes Dr. Blalock as a
mentor. Dr. Cooley was a resident who trained under Dr. Blalock at Johns Hopkins
Medical School. Dr. Cooley was a second assistant during the first Blue Baby operation
on Eileen Saxon, a fifteen-month-old baby girl who was in critical condition. Dr. Cooley
continued to train under Dr. Blalock. Dr. Cooley admires Dr. Blalock for his courage,
determination, composure, and intellectual curiosity among other things. Dr. Blalock's
legacy continues on through his surgical work and all the medical students who trained
under him.
"Dr. Alfred Blalock Dead at 65; Developed 'Blue Baby' Surgery." New York Times 16 Sept.
1964: 31. Print. This is a New York Times article explaining Dr. Alfred Blalock's
death. The article gives a biography of Dr. Alfred Blalock. It explains the operation as
well as listing the honors that Dr. Blalock received. These honors demonstrate how
influential Dr. Blalock was and the powerful legacy he left behind.
"Dr. Blalock Wins Award: World Society Honors Him as First in Heart Surgery." New York
Times 13 Nov. 1949: 56. Print. This article states that Dr. Blalock was honored with the
Priz Rene Leriche of the International Society of Surgery. A society from New Orleans
selected Dr. Blalock as the winner of the award. This award is a testimony to Dr.
Blalock's leadership within the medical world.
"French 'Blue Baby' Cured: Boy, 11, Operated on in October, Takes Plane for Home." New York
Times 18 Feb. 1949: 44. Print. Jean Pierre, an eleven-year-old boy from France, sought
surgical treatment from Dr. Blalock in Baltimore. Dr. Blalock was able to correct the
little boy's fatal heart condition. Dr. Blalock was able to dramatically improve Pierre's
condition. Dr. Blalock was able to save yet another life and his legacy will always reflect
that.
"German Boy Has Surgery in U.S." New York Times 23 Oct. 1958: 3. Print. This article explains
that Klaus Kaemmerer, a five-year-old German boy, had recently had surgery in the
United States to repair his heart. Kaemmerer is considered a "Blue Baby." Dr. Blalock
performed the surgery on the boy. Without Dr. Blalock's leadership in surgery,
Kaemmerer's operation would not have been possible.
"Gift of Health Fills the Stocking of Boy Who Was Doomed to Die." New York Times 13 Dec.
1948: 25. Print. Joseph Ruotolo is a five-year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with
tetralogy of Fallot. The boy was projected to die before he was twelve years old. Dr.
Blalock's waiting list for a corrective operation was projected to be more than three years
long and very expensive. Fortunately, Dr. Blalock agreed to perform the operation ahead
of schedule and free of charge.
"The History of Heart Medicine at Johns Hopkins." Johns Hopkins Medicine. Johns Hopkins
University, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stlm/history.html>. We were able to retrieve several
photographs from this website to use in our project.
"International Society of Surgery: Twelfth Congress in London (continued)." British Medical
Journal 2.4525 (1947): 502-04. Print. This article gives a description of Dr. Blalock's
presentation of his Blue Baby surgery. In addition, it also gives a description of the
results of the operation. Within a day of the outstanding operation, most of the patient's
symptoms had disappeared. The article states that Dr. Blalock's operation was one of the
most brilliant advances in modern surgery.
"The National Academy of Sciences: Abstracts of Papers Presented at 1947 Meeting." Science ns
105.2738 (1947): 632-37. Print. This article, a recount of the 1947 meeting, summarizes
Dr. Blalock's presentation at the meeting. Dr. Blalock discussed his surgical solution to
tetralogy of Fallot, otherwise known as Blue Baby Syndrome. Dr. Blalock's
groundbreaking solution drastically improved the lives of his patients therefore, creating
a lasting legacy for Dr. Blalock and his advancements.
"New Surgery Saves 'Blue Babies'; Chicago Doctor Report Method." New York Times 13 Nov.
1946: 27. Print. This article describes three Chicago surgeons who were able to slightly
adjust Dr. Blalock's Blue Baby Operation in order to save even more lives. Without Dr.
Blalock's leadership, this operation would not have been possible. Dr. Blalock's
innovative operation saved countless lives and paved the way for other surgical
advances.
"Science Talent Institute." Science News-Letter 8 Mar. 1947: 149-51. Print. This article describes
leading scientists who addressed high school students about innovation. The article
mentions that heart surgery is advancing. A large portion of this is due Dr. Blalock's
contribution. Many more advances have been made off of Dr. Blalock's leadership and
would not have been possible otherwise.
Stone, John, M.D. "Baby Heart on Hold." New York Times 10 July 1988: SM34. Print. This
article describes the process in which tetralogy of Fallot in the heart begins. The article
goes on to describe the pulse oximeter, a medical instrument that measures the cyanosis
or "blueness" of the patient. Then, the article describes the procedure performed on Blue
Babies. This procedure was made possible by Dr. Blalock's leadership in congenital
heart disease.
Taussig, Helen B. "The Development of the Blalock-Taussig Operation and Its Results Twenty
Years Later." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 120.1 (1976): 13-20.
Print. This paper, written by Dr. Taussig, describes the late results of Dr. Blalock's
operation, otherwise known as the Blalock-Taussig Shunt. Dr. Taussig was a pediatrician
and colleague of Dr. Blalock who assisted during the early stages of development of the
procedure. The paper starts by giving a description of the methods used during the
procedure. Then, it gives several statistics regarding the operation. These patients
involved in the study were observed up to twenty years after their operation. The
mortality rate of this operation throughout the study was low and many of the patients
achieved a high quality of life. Dr. Blalock's legacy and this life changing operation are
responsible for his success.
Thomas, Vivien T., and Vivien T. Thomas. Partners of the Heart: Vivien Thomas and His Work
with Alfred Blalock : an Autobiography. Philadelphia: U of Pennsylvania P, 1985. Print.
Vivien Thomas was a lab technician who was very important to Dr. Blalock and his
work. Dr. Blalock and Thomas worked together for thirty-four years. Thomas was
African-American and during the Blue Baby era, discrimination was
prominent. Nonetheless, Dr. Blalock and Thomas had a mutual respect for one
another. This autobiography tells of Thomas' work with Dr. Blalock and the surgical
techniques and advancements that they created.
Secondary Sources
Barron, James. "The Biggest Heart If Not the Best." New York Times 19 Nov. 1995: H33. Print.
This article tells of Samuel Sanders, a famous pianist who was once a Blue
Baby. Sanders underwent his first surgery at age nine. Sanders was the 298th patient to
undergo Dr. Blalock's Blue Baby operation. Thanks to Blalock's leadership, Sanders was
able to lead a healthy life.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The Structure of a Heart with Tetralogy of Fallot
(TOF). YouTube. YouTube, 2 Mar. 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2015. This video describes the
abnormalities associated with tetralogy of Fallot. The use of images and interactive
diagrams demonstrated the defects very effectively. The use of the video helps illustrate
how necessary a surgical solution to this problem was.
Evans, William N. "The Blalock-Taussig Shunt: The Social History of an Eponym." Cardiology
in the Young 19.2 (2009): 119-28. Print. This article describes the history of the BlalockTaussig Shunt including a background of both doctors. Dr. Helen Taussig, a pediatrician
at Johns Hopkins, had asked Dr. Blalock to create a surgical procedure to correct
tetralogy of Fallot in Blue Babies. Dr. Blalock agreed and he and his surgical assistant,
Vivien Thomas, went to work creating a shunt to increase blood flow to the lungs in
order to be oxygenated. This innovative technique drastically changed surgical solutions
to congenital heart disease forever.
Quek, Swee C., and Chuen N. Lee. "The Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt Revisited."
Cardiology in the Young 20.2 (2010): 208-09. Print. This article describes the modified
Blalock-Taussig Shunt. It also describes the benefits of using the modified BlalockTaussig Shunt in modern medicine. Countless lives are continuing to be saved because
of Dr. Blalock's influential procedure and legacy.
Roth, Ronica. "Partners of the Heart." Humanities Jan.-Feb. 2003: 20-23. Print. This article
describes the partnership between Dr. Blalock and his surgical technician, Vivien
Thomas. Vivien Thomas was an Africa-American. At this time in history, it was very
uncommon for African-Americans to be involved in the medical field. Despite this, Dr.
Blalock and Thomas had a mutual respect for each other. Thomas was always nearby
when Dr. Blalock was operating on a patient.
Slatter, Douglas H. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003.
Print. This book explains how Dr. Blalock used dogs to perform laboratory research. It
illustrates his findings. These findings from the laboratory allowed him to create such an
influential surgery.
Something the Lord Made Trailer. Video Detective. Internet Video Archive, 3 May 2004. Web.
12 Jan. 2015. <http://www.videodetective.com/movies/something-the-lordmade/304298>. This video clip is the trailer for the movie that is based upon Dr. Blalock
and the Blue Baby Operation. The video helps emphasize the dramatic effects of the
operation. In addition, it also demonstrates the untraditional relationship between Dr.
Blalock and his assistant, Vivien Thomas.
Swischuk, Leonard E. Imaging of the Newborn, Infant, and Young Child. 5th ed. Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003. Print. This book illustrated how tetralogy of Fallot
forms during pregnancy. This helped us understand the abnormalities of the heart.
Understanding the abnormalities helped us understand the purpose of Dr. Blalock's
surgery.
Timmermans, Stefan. "A Black Technician and Blue Babies." Social Studies of Science 33.2
(2003): 197-229. Print. This article describes the life of Vivien Thomas, a lab technician
for Dr. Blalock. Thomas was African-American and often endured hardships because of
this. However, Dr. Blalock and Thomas had a very professional relationship and often
Dr. Blalock presented Thomas with many opportunities such as asking him to come with
him when he transferred to Johns Hopkins. Dr. Blalock and Thomas worked well
together and greatly impacted the surgical world.
Toledo-Pereyra, Luis H. "Alfred Blalock. Surgeon, Educator, and Pioneer in Shock and Cardiac
Research." Journal of Investigative Surgery 18.4 (2014): 161-65. Print. This article
explains Dr. Blalock's life and leadership within surgery and research. It tells of Dr.
Blalock's early life and education including his time at Johns Hopkins Medical School. It
goes on to explain Dr. Blalock's influential work regarding shock during World War
I. The article describes Dr. Blalock's Blue Babies Operation. In addition, Dr. Blalock
left an incredible mark on the surgical world both by his operations and the other
surgeons that trained under him.
- - -. "Discovery According to Blalock." Journal of Investigative Surgery 20.3 (2007): 145-47.
Print. This article describes how Dr. Blalock discovered surgical solutions to problems
that had plagued the medical world. Dr. Blalock believed discovery stemmed from
chance, intentions, intuition, or any combination of the three. Dr. Blalock would not
have succeeded in his surgical advances without his determination for discovery.
- - -. "Something the Lord Made." Journal of Investigative Surgery 20.2 (2007): 67-70. Print.
This article describes the partnership between Dr. Blalock and his surgical technician
Vivien Thomas. Many of Dr. Blalock's innovative ideas could not have ben carried out
without Thomas' help. Together, these two men changed the surgical world. Also,
Blalock demonstrated honorable leadership by respecting Vivien Thomas, despite the
color of his skin.
- - -. "Surgical Innovator." Journal of Investigative Surgery 24.1 (2011): 4-7. Print. This article
describes Dr. Blalock's perspective of innovation. The article describes Dr. Blalock's
legacy and knowledge that he transferred to his students who trained under him. Dr.
Blalock developed several creative ideas that enabled him to save countless lives during
his career as a surgeon.
Toledo-Pereyra, Luis H., M.D., Ph.D. E-mail interview by Michelle N. Anderson and Marcy S.
Anderson. 26 Nov. 2014. Dr. Luis H. Toledo-Pereyra is a professor at the University of
Western Michigan. He has professionally researched and written many articles about Dr.
Alfred Blalock. During the interview, Dr. Blalock's leadership and legacy were
discussed. In addition, the short and long term as well as the world-wide impacts of the
Blue Baby Surgery were discussed. Dr. Toledo-Pereyra also provided an extremely
helpful and insightful view about Dr. Blalock's legacy.
Troidl, Hans, et al. Principles and Practice of Research: Strategies for Surgical Investigators.
2nd ed. New York: Springer US, 1991. Print. This book explains multiple aspects of
surgical research. This book helped explain several methods that Dr. Blalock used in
order to find a surgical solution to tetralogy of Fallot. This book helped explain the
surgical terms we encountered during our research.