Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 2299

ANTONIO EGAS MONIZ (1874-1955) L'angiographie cérébrale. Masson et Cie 1934 327 pp., illus., diagrs. 23.6 cm.

Moniz held posts at the neurology departments of both the University of Coimbra and the University of Lisbon before turning his attention to politics. He achieved a measure of fame as a statesman, serving as Portuguese ambassador to Spain and representing Portugal at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. After his political party was deposed, he returned to the University of Lisbon where he redirected his attention to neurological research and developed the idea of utilizing X-rays to view the cerebral vessels. Using sodium iodide as a contrast medium, he successfully performed the first carotid angiogram. His technique, later refined by German and Swedish scientists, became what is now one of the most useful of neurological tests. This work on cerebral angiography is one of the best known of more than a hundred books and articles published on the subject by Moniz. A few years later Moniz achieved even greater recognition for the development of the frontal leucotomy for the alleviation of certain anxiety states, an operation which caused no little controversy within the medical ranks owing to its radical nature and psychopathological implications. In 1949, Moniz received the Nobel prize for the operation.

Cited references: Waller 6641