Samuel D. Gross of Philadelphia: pathologist, surgeon, and medical historian.

Samuel David Gross (1805–1884) (Fig. 1), a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Jeff erson Medical College in Philadelphia, wrote his fi rst book [1] in 1828, just two years after he received his M.D. degree. Th e book, which was the fi rst American treatise on orthopedic pathology and surgery, was an instant success, but Gross’s attempt to establish a surgical practice was a failure. Gross had ample time to study and, since he was fl uent in French and German, he read the pathology texts of Baillie (1761–1823), Bichat (1771–1802), Cruveilhier (179–1874), Horner (1793–1853), and Andral (1797–1876), published in 1793, 1801, 1829, 1829, and 1832 respectively. Based on his diligent study of these treatises and his experience in dissection of human and animal bodies, Gross soon became qualifi ed for a pathology position. In 1833 he was appointed demonstrator in pathology at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and in 1835 he was promoted to professor of pathologic anatomy. He continued to autopsy human and animal bodies and he performed the fi rst experimental pathology studies in the United States [2]. He also organized the nation’s fi rst didactic course in pathology for medical students and aspirant pathologists. In 1839, at age 34, Gross summarized in book form his experience in pathology and all that he had deduced from publications of European pathologists [3]. His book, in two volumes, fi lled a void in the American medical literature. It went through several editions and remained the only comprehensive text of pathology published in the United States until 1908 [4]. Gross’s book contained descriptions and illustrations of clinical, surgical, gross pathologic, and microscopic aspects of hundreds of pathologic conditions from infl ammation to tumors. He wrote that during infection the blood becomes profoundly altered in its properties according to the intensity of the disease. He observed that colorless globules (white blood cells) have a tendency to extravasate into membranous tissues, accompanied by fl uid accumulation (eff usion). He named cupped blood as “buff y coat.” Gross was aware of revascularization by formation of new vessels at sites of infection, trauma, and tumors. He recognized the formation Address correspondence to Steven. I. Hajdu, M.D., 1759 Drumcliff Court, Westlake Village, CA 19361-1636, USA; tel 805 496 0691, fax 805 496 0620. Fig. 1. Samuel David Gross (1805–1884).