Reminiscence
CONSULTANT'S CONSULTANT: MARION B. SULZBERGER DAVID R, HARRIS, M,D.
Perhaps I had the honor of being Sulzberger's last student. At the completion of my residency in 1969, I was assigned to the Dermatology Section of the Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco. Sulzberger was our senior consultant, a singular civilian position that the U.S. Army fittingly created for his unique talents. It was from here in 1972 that he "retired" for the fifth and what may or may not be the last time (he has continued fo work and travel with seemingly indefatigable gusto for his and Roberta Sulzberger's Institute for Dermatologic Communication). Sweat Disturbances Frequently 1 have reflected on my 3 years with Sulzberger, Along with others, I had the responsibility for both formulating and executing investigation into skin diseases afflicting military personnel. My immediate concern was sweating disturbances, a subject of increasing interest to Sulzberger since World War II, We would present our ideas and protocols but he never told us either what to do or how to do it. He made it clear, however, if we were on the right track. With his perspective, nourished by a lifetime of broad scholarly interests and keen insight, gently, very gently, he would lead us to workable hypotheses and sensible protocols. Nor, once it was formulated, did he Address for reprints: David R, Harris, M,D,, 700 W, Parr Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 93030,
From the Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
attempt to direct a line of investigation. Even when the road ahead seemed to most to be strewn with boulders, he would say that to dissuade original thought or direction might unnecessarily discourage the young investigator. As the consummate teacher, he asked only the questions, we had to supply the answers. With the same enthusiasm he must have had for his pioneer studies of fungi and patch testing in the 20s and 30s, he supported, dispensed generous praise, gave his neophytes confidence to pursue the uncharted territory. Communications Marion Sulzberger has published continually since the mid 1920s. For our own writing efforts, we were given the incalculable benefit of 50 years of writing and editing skill. It went like this. We would ask him to review a manuscript before it was submitted. The next day (sometimes the same day), the paper would be returned with a lovely cover note. "This is an excellent (wonderful, superb, outstanding, remarkable, etc.) manuscript. I have but one or two suggestions which mry be helpful." May be helpful! Perhaps William Allen White may have edited with as much skill and understanding, but he did it for a living. A manuscript edited by Sulzberger was a
431
432
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
work of art, with revised sentences running around edges, over and under pages, and between lines. Needless to say, none of the manuscripts I submitted to be published with him as coauthor were returned for another revision. While in the Army, and at one point afterward. Dr. and Mrs. Sulzberger asked if I might contribute my efforts, along with those of Eugene Farber at Stanford, to an educational film on peripheral vascular disease and a slide-sound program on psoriasis. These projects were produced by the Institute for Dermatologic Communication. Those of us given the privilege of working on one of these programs were exposed to a completely new educational experience. Here the Sulzbergers were a team, Roberta, a professional film writer and producer and Marion, the scientific advisor and editor. This dynamic duo accepted no substitute for perfection. To bear the Institute's seal of approval there could be no error. We
June 1977
Vol. 16
made many mistakes, but we did it over again, and again, and again. Sulzberger had established the first dermatology research unit in the military, at the personal request of the Surgeon General. He hoped to foster an atmosphere conducive to continual and productive research. Instead of experienced investigators, however, he was assigned young dermatologists and a few PhD's with little or no experience. Yet, exciting and original contributions were made in fungal immunology, measurement of sweating patterns, experimental miliaria, insect repellents and substantivity of stratum corneum. Moreover, the original quarters of his unit have grown from a discarded clapboard shack to an ultramodern, multi-million dollar facility, housing the full range of disciplines, in addition to dermatology. When first touring this new unit, I had thought that if Sulzberger could re-enlist, he would. Then, so would I!
Use of ACTH It may be unwise or even presumptuous at this time to submit a summary of the present status of ACTH and cortisone therapy in dermatology. Many aspects of this important subject are undoubtedly still in a state of rapid flux. Thus observers of equal ability and knowledge still disagree as the efficacy of these hormonal agents in certain dermatoses. More important, there are wide divergences of opinion as to the justification for their use in dermatoses in which both ACTH and cortisone are generally acknowledged to have therapeutic efficacy. Although the statement "The use of ACTH and cortisone in any nonfatal dermatosis is criminal" is obviously out of tune with the attitude of the vast majority of qualified dermatologists, it is likely that it will take quite a few years to establish the exact indications and contraindications for the therapeutic use of these materials. — Sulzberger, M. B. and Baer, R. L.: 1952 Year Book of Dermatology and Syphilology. Chicago, Year Book Publishers, 1953, p. 7.
CONSULTANT'S CONSULTANT: MARION B. SULZBERGER DAVID R, HARRIS, M,D.
Perhaps I had the honor of being Sulzberger's last student. At the completion of my residency in 1969, I was assigned to the Dermatology Section of the Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco. Sulzberger was our senior consultant, a singular civilian position that the U.S. Army fittingly created for his unique talents. It was from here in 1972 that he "retired" for the fifth and what may or may not be the last time (he has continued fo work and travel with seemingly indefatigable gusto for his and Roberta Sulzberger's Institute for Dermatologic Communication). Sweat Disturbances Frequently 1 have reflected on my 3 years with Sulzberger, Along with others, I had the responsibility for both formulating and executing investigation into skin diseases afflicting military personnel. My immediate concern was sweating disturbances, a subject of increasing interest to Sulzberger since World War II, We would present our ideas and protocols but he never told us either what to do or how to do it. He made it clear, however, if we were on the right track. With his perspective, nourished by a lifetime of broad scholarly interests and keen insight, gently, very gently, he would lead us to workable hypotheses and sensible protocols. Nor, once it was formulated, did he Address for reprints: David R, Harris, M,D,, 700 W, Parr Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 93030,
From the Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
attempt to direct a line of investigation. Even when the road ahead seemed to most to be strewn with boulders, he would say that to dissuade original thought or direction might unnecessarily discourage the young investigator. As the consummate teacher, he asked only the questions, we had to supply the answers. With the same enthusiasm he must have had for his pioneer studies of fungi and patch testing in the 20s and 30s, he supported, dispensed generous praise, gave his neophytes confidence to pursue the uncharted territory. Communications Marion Sulzberger has published continually since the mid 1920s. For our own writing efforts, we were given the incalculable benefit of 50 years of writing and editing skill. It went like this. We would ask him to review a manuscript before it was submitted. The next day (sometimes the same day), the paper would be returned with a lovely cover note. "This is an excellent (wonderful, superb, outstanding, remarkable, etc.) manuscript. I have but one or two suggestions which mry be helpful." May be helpful! Perhaps William Allen White may have edited with as much skill and understanding, but he did it for a living. A manuscript edited by Sulzberger was a
431
432
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
work of art, with revised sentences running around edges, over and under pages, and between lines. Needless to say, none of the manuscripts I submitted to be published with him as coauthor were returned for another revision. While in the Army, and at one point afterward. Dr. and Mrs. Sulzberger asked if I might contribute my efforts, along with those of Eugene Farber at Stanford, to an educational film on peripheral vascular disease and a slide-sound program on psoriasis. These projects were produced by the Institute for Dermatologic Communication. Those of us given the privilege of working on one of these programs were exposed to a completely new educational experience. Here the Sulzbergers were a team, Roberta, a professional film writer and producer and Marion, the scientific advisor and editor. This dynamic duo accepted no substitute for perfection. To bear the Institute's seal of approval there could be no error. We
June 1977
Vol. 16
made many mistakes, but we did it over again, and again, and again. Sulzberger had established the first dermatology research unit in the military, at the personal request of the Surgeon General. He hoped to foster an atmosphere conducive to continual and productive research. Instead of experienced investigators, however, he was assigned young dermatologists and a few PhD's with little or no experience. Yet, exciting and original contributions were made in fungal immunology, measurement of sweating patterns, experimental miliaria, insect repellents and substantivity of stratum corneum. Moreover, the original quarters of his unit have grown from a discarded clapboard shack to an ultramodern, multi-million dollar facility, housing the full range of disciplines, in addition to dermatology. When first touring this new unit, I had thought that if Sulzberger could re-enlist, he would. Then, so would I!
Use of ACTH It may be unwise or even presumptuous at this time to submit a summary of the present status of ACTH and cortisone therapy in dermatology. Many aspects of this important subject are undoubtedly still in a state of rapid flux. Thus observers of equal ability and knowledge still disagree as the efficacy of these hormonal agents in certain dermatoses. More important, there are wide divergences of opinion as to the justification for their use in dermatoses in which both ACTH and cortisone are generally acknowledged to have therapeutic efficacy. Although the statement "The use of ACTH and cortisone in any nonfatal dermatosis is criminal" is obviously out of tune with the attitude of the vast majority of qualified dermatologists, it is likely that it will take quite a few years to establish the exact indications and contraindications for the therapeutic use of these materials. — Sulzberger, M. B. and Baer, R. L.: 1952 Year Book of Dermatology and Syphilology. Chicago, Year Book Publishers, 1953, p. 7.
