The world of surgery doffed its hat to Dr. Rudolph Matas of New, Orleans Wednesday.
Surgeons from all parts of the world attending the 13th congress of the International Society of Surgery gathered at Hutchinson Memorial building of Tulane uni-versity to pay tribute to the pio neer in so many fields — vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, in testinal surgery, anesthesia and continuous intravenous injections.
The 89-year-old Dr. Matas, "not knowing whether to laugh or cry"' was deeply moved as he ac-epted the applause of the men "I have seen all over the world in my travels, but now for the first time together in New Or- eans."
The occasion was the presenta-tion of a silver plaque, bearing Dr. Matas' picture, to Prof. George Grey Turner of London, presi-lent of the International Society.
Eldon S. Lazarus of the board of directors of Touro Infirmary made the presentation on behalf of Touro where Dr. Matas is emeritus chief surgeon.
Prof. Grey; Turner, in accepting the plaque, said, "We honor Dr Matas not so much for his work but for his influence on the profession. All that he has done has been for the welfare of the profession. Even in his earliest days he recognized the
value of the human life ... We hope that he may go on to stimulate our culture."
Dr. Matas was high in His praise of the Tulane university medical school from which he was graduated in 1880. "I have a feel-ing of affection and reverence for it, almost like that of a son for his mother, for it was the mother that opened the door of every-thing for me in medicine," he said.
Exhibits Visited
Presentation of the plaque completed the morning session of the congress which included visits to exhibits and demonstrations at Both Louisiana State university medical school and Tulane's medical school, and to the Rudolph Matas medical library which was dedicated in 1937 in Dr. Matas' honor. PHOTO CAPTION READS: SILVER PLAQUE GIVEN TO SOCIETY'S PRESIDENT
From left: Eldon S. Lazarus, Dr, Matas, Prof. George Grey Turner.
