Background
His father was born in Arsten, Germany, near the city of Bremen, in 1841 and emigrated to Baltimore in 1859.
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Frederick Henry Baetjer
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended school in Winchester and spent a few years studying at the Shenandoah Valley Academy.
In 1893 he entered the undergraduate department of the Johns Hopkins University with the intention of studying electrical engineering but after receiving his degree of A. B. in 1897 he altered his plans and in the autumn of that year entered the medical school of the University. Here he pursued his studies under such masters as William Henry Welch, William Osler, and William S. Halsted.
Career
Upon his graduation in 1901 he was appointed resident house officer in the Johns Hopkins Hospital and served for one year. It was at this time that the X-ray was being introduced into medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Baetjer was attracted by the novelty of these studies which were then in little more than an experimental stage and immediately after leaving the hospital he went abroad to study radiology, especially in Berlin.
Then he entered practice to devote himself exclusively to work in roentgenology. He was, thus, one of the American pioneers in this field. He rapidly became one of the foremost exponents of roentgenology as a diagnostic procedure. His careful investigations necessitated his constant exposure to the X-rays. Unfortunately the knowledge that complete protection of the operator could be obtained by the use of shields made of lead was not available to physicians at this time. In consequence Baetjer's constant exposure to the rays soon resulted in serious burns of the hands, which, in spite of future protection, progressed and caused increasing injury during the remainder of his life.
Amputation of one finger after another was required and by 1909 he had lost four of them. A form of cancer developed extending to the axilla and necessitating the removal of the lymph glands in this region. His physical activities were interfered with, not only by these distressing experiences, but by the loss of an eye in 1908. In spite of these serious and incapacitating injuries he continued his work in heroic manner both in his private office and in the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, enlarging his experience in diagnostic radiology, teaching, and publishing many papers on the use of X-ray in diagnosis. First assistant, then associate in "actinography" (1903 - 16), he was appointed in 1916 associate professor of clinical roentgenology with promotion in 1921 to the professorship of roentgenology and the position of roentgenologist-in-chief to the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
During the World War he served from May 1917 to February 1919 as major in the medical corps. Probably his most significant published work was his Injuries and Diseases of the Bones and Joints (1921), written in collaboration with Charles A. Waters. His long and wide experience combined with his acute perception resulted in a degree of expertness in interpreting roentgenograms which brought him national recognition. He was made a delegate to the International Roentgen Ray Congress in 1908 and in 1911 was elected president of the American Roentgen Ray Society.
Suffering constantly from the effects of the X-ray burns and the serious complications that resulted, he remained as long as he was able to work a delightful companion, with ready wit and keen mind. His cheerfulness under such physical suffering was a source of constant wonder and admiration to his many friends. He died of a heart ailment at his home in Catonsville, after a long illness.
Achievements
Membership
He was an active member of many medical societies and honorary member of the New York Roentgen Ray Society and the Philadelphia Roentgen Ray Society.
Connections
He was married to Mary Yarnell Carey of Baltimore on October 14, 1903. The had a daughter, Eleanor Carey, and a son, Harold Hayward Baetjer.
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Born
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Died
July 17, 1933 (aged 58) -
Nationality
American