Historical perspective Sir William Gowers 1845-1915

This is a brief review of the life and contributions to neurologic science of Sir William Gowers. He was a neurologist in England in the late 19th century who, before the availability of modern diagnostic aids, established the importance of clinical examination, including history and physical signs, in the diagnosis of neurologic disorders. He was the first neurologist to identify a removable spinal tumor. He arranged for his colleague, Sir Victor Horsley, to remove it and the operation was completely successful. He invented the patella hammer and his book ''Manual of Diseases of the Nervous System'' (in two volumes) was the standard reference until early in the 20th century.