Arthur E. Strauss Oral History

Interviewee

Arthur E. Strauss

Interviewer

Gerhard E. Gruenfeld, MD and Barrett L. Taussig, MD

Files

Summary

Arthur E. Strauss was interviewed by Gerhard E. Gruenfeld and Barrett L. Taussig on September 18, 1959 for approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Scope and Content

Strauss begins by discussing otolaryngologist Hanau W. Loeb and his role in the early history of St. Louis University Medical School and the development of Jewish Hospital of St. Louis. While relating being called in to help treat Loeb, Strauss discusses his training as a cardiologist and describes the first electrocardiograms. He relates his experiences leading up to his service in World War I and his experiences during the war working as a cardiologist in England and France. Strauss recalls returning to St. Louis after the war and his subsequent work as head of the cardiac clinic at Washington University and at the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis. Strauss talks about his interactions with several prominent early physicians and cardiologists, including Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt and James McKenzie. The conversation returns to the discussion of Hanau Loeb, and Strauss reads a published tribute to Loeb written by prominent St. Louis rabbi Leon Harrison. Strauss recalls two men who influenced him in his career as a physician, Jesse S. Myer and Albert E. Taussig. The interviewers and Strauss then talk about generational changes in medical training and practice, including the lack of exposure to medical "greats" and the lack of respect shown by local hospital house staffs.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Arthur E. Strauss received his medical degree from Harvard College Medical School in 1917. After serving in World War I, Strauss joined the staff of the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis. He served as physician in charge of the heart station until 1952, medical staff president from 1949 to 1953, and director of medicine from 1948 to 1953. Strauss was a founder of the St. Louis Heart Association and an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.

Biographical Information: Interviewer

Gerhard E. Gruenfeld, MD (1901-1977) was born in Berlin, Germany and came to the United States in 1926. He joined Jewish Hospital in 1927 and worked there until he retired as surgeon emeritus. A cancer surgeon, he also worked for many years with the staff of Barnes Hospital and Barnard Free Skin and Cancer Hospital.

Barrett L. Taussig, MD graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1932 and practiced medicine in St. Louis for 50 years, including serving on the teaching staff of the School of Medicine.

Interview Date

1959-09-18

Collection Identifier

OH076

Length

Approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Restrictions

Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).

Recommended Citation

Arthur E. Strauss Oral History, OH076, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.

Notes

The volume of the interview is inconsistent. At approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes, the audio recording is distorted.

Disclaimer

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