January 1 – On This Day in Medical History

Medical milestones, landmark publications, and notable births and deaths associated with January 1.

Events

1758 – Zoological nomenclature starting point: the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature uses the 10th edition of Systema Naturae by Carl Linnaeus as the starting point for modern animal names.

1977 – German pediatric endocrinologist, Prof. Dr. Ruth Illig (1924-2017) developed a rapid detection method for hypothyroid screening in the newborn. Deployed the first nationwide screening program for congenital hypothyroidism on January 1, 1977

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Births

1858 – Hermann Oppenheim (1858-1919), German neurologist. Described the Oppenheim sign/reflex (1902) and Oppenheim disease (1900)

1871 – John Rhea Barton (1794-1871), American Orthopedic Surgeon. Described the Barton fracture (1838), the Barton Bandage and the Barton bran dressing

1891 – Samuel Albert Levine (1891-1966), Polish-American cardiologist. Described Lown–Ganong–Levine syndrome (1952), the Levine Heart Murmur Grading Scale (1933), the Levine sign (1934)

1892 – Guido Fanconi (1892–1979), Swiss paediatrician; described Fanconi anaemia (1927).

1898 – Signe Brunnstrom (1898–1988), Swedish-American physiotherapist. Clinical kinesiology, amputee rehabilitation, and Brunnstrom approach to stroke recovery staging.

1924 – Carolyn Coker Huntley (1924-1984), American pediatrician; described Wiskott-Aldrich-Huntley Syndrome (1957)

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Deaths

1934 – Frank Chambliss Johnson (1894-1934), American pediatrician; described Stevens-Johnson syndrome (1922)

1952 – Henri Albert Hartmann (1860-1952), French surgeon; described the Hartmann pouch and Hartmann operation (1921)

2007 — Aagot Christie Løken (1911–2007), Norwegian physician and neuropathologist; associated with Senior–Løken syndrome (1961).

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Further reading

• International code of zoological nomenclature