Name: William Stewart Halsted Dates: 1852-1922 Nationality: American Last Post: Professor of Surgery Last ward round note: Perhaps Miss Latex would like to try on the new rubber gown I've invented - I'll be at my Rooms. Claim to fame: Rubber Gloves Surgery: Breast Surgery Pioneer

Professor of Surgery at John Hopkins medical school, Baltimore USA. Founder of surgical training in the USA. Halsted advocated the use of rubber gloves, primarily to protect the delicate hands of a rather pretty theatre nurse who had particularly sensitive skin reactions to the mercuric chloride utilised at the time. The idea that preventing the transmission of pathogens came later. Halsted, despite being an exceptional surgeon and tutor, had many distractions. His cocaine addiction was treated by Sir William Osler no less.