Postcards from the past: the Third SICOT Congress, Bologna 1936

Abstract

This manuscript describes the events and eminent personalities who animated the third Congress of the "Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologie", held in Bologna (Italy) in 1936. During this meeting the Society acquired its definitive name and the acronym under which it is now internationally recognized, SICOT. Some of the most illustrious clinicians and scientists of those times gathered in Bologna to discuss the progress of orthopaedic science, thus contributing to highlight the relevance of this discipline in the medical field. Italian surgeon Vittorio Putti was the Congress Chairman and his words, together with some original pictures from his 1936 photo gallery, are shown to celebrate appropriately a prestigious moment in the history of SICOT.

Fig. 1

The monumental entrance of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute (Bologna), founded in 1896

Fig. 2

September 21st, 1936—The start of the meeting of the International Committee, chaired by Vittorio Putti

Fig. 3

The opening ceremony and Gran Gala

Fig. 4

Vittorio Putti: live surgery demonstration

Fig. 5

The Industries Exhibition hallway

Fig. 6

Portraits of orthopaedic surgeons’ wives enjoying a social event in Bologna