Wednesday's Woman in History Helen B. Taussig was born in
Cambridge, MA (1898). Struggling with severe 
dyslexia and hearing loss in her
early years did not keep her from pursuing a medical degree. While 'special
student' status afforded to female students allowed her to attend some courses
at Harvard and Boston University, she chose to pursue a complete medical degree
at Johns Hopkins University.
After receiving her M.D. in 1927 Dr. Taussig's abilities
were quickly recognized and she was appointed physician-in-charge of the
Pediatric Cardiac Clinic at Johns Hopkins. She developed new observational
methods, pioneered use of the fluoroscope and electrocardiograph in pediatric
care, and became known as an expert in diagnosis through physical examination.
Among her patients at Johns Hopkins were the fated 'blue
babies'. Dr. Taussig started to theorize on the possible causes and solutions. She
was the first to discover that these infants were dying of lack of circulation
to the lungs (the lack of oxygen causing their skin to take on a blue tinge)
and not of a cardiac arrest as was previously thought. Her extensive work led
to a pioneering cardiac surgery now known as the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig Shunt
first performed in 1944. With this single achievement she won back the chance
for many infants go on to live normal lives.
In the early 1960's, a former graduate of her training
program brought to her attention the increase of rare congenital defects of
German infants. Dr. Taussig's investigation focused on a popular sedative used
to counteract nausea during early pregnancy. Her testimony before the U.S. FDA
was instrumental in the drug, now renamed Thalidomide, to be banned and new
laws enacted to require more thorough testing procedures for all medicinal
drugs.
Other Acheivements Include:
1954 - Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research for
her work
1959 - the first woman to be promoted to full professorship at Johns Hopkins University.
1964 - awarded the U.S.A. Medal of Freedom
1965 - the first woman to serve as President of the American Heart Association.
1972 - named the first woman master of
the American College of Physicians.
