Charles Aaron

Biography

• Born on May 8, 1866 in Lockport, New York, the son of Abraham Higham Aaron and Hanna (Barnett) Aaron, German immigrants.
• Attended Syracuse University for two years before studying medicine at the University of Buffalo.
• 1891 – Graduated MD from the University of Buffalo. Moved to Detroit and became house surgeon at Harper Hospital.
• 1891–1893 – House physician and surgeon at Harper Hospital, Detroit.
• 1893–1895 – City physician of Detroit.
• 1896–1898 – Undertook postgraduate study in the clinics of the University of Berlin.
• 1898 – Joined the faculty of the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery as lecturer in Materia Medica and Therapeutics.
• 1899–1902 – Continued postgraduate study in Europe at Giessen, Vienna, Würzburg, Paris and London.
• 1902 – Returned to Detroit and married Winifred Comstock on June 3.
• 1905–1938 – Professor of Gastroenterology and Dietetics at the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery, later incorporated into Wayne University.
• 1910 – Awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (ScD) by the University of Heidelberg.
• 1916 – Elected Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
• Aaron was a founding member of the American Gastroenterological Association and served as secretary-treasurer for 14 years. He also served as president of the Detroit Academy of Medicine and Northern Tri-State Medical Association and held office in the American Therapeutic Society.
• During his career he served as a gastroenterologist or consultant to several Detroit hospitals, published more than 70 scientific papers, and authored major texts including Diseases of the Stomach (1911) and Diseases of the Digestive Organs (1915).
• 1938 – Retired from his professorial chair and became Professor Emeritus.
• 1951 – Retired from active medical work on February 1.
• Died on December 3, 1951 aged 85 in Detroit, Michigan, USA

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Medical Eponyms

Aaron sign (1913)

In 1913 Aaron published 4 clinical cases and his findings ‘to assist others in coming to some conclusion as to its value in the diagnosis of chronic appendicitis (appendicitis larvata)‘.

I have been able to induce a referred pain or distress in the epigastrium, left hypochondrium, umbilical, left inguinal or precordial region by a continuous firm pressure over the appendix. I have found this test exceedingly valuable in deciding when and when not to recommend operation for chronic appendicitis

Aaron 1913

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Major Publications

• Aaron CD. Intestinal auto-intoxication. 1897
• Aaron CD. Diseases of the stomach with special reference to treatment. 1911
• Aaron CD. A sign indicative of chronic appendicitis. JAMA. 1913; 60(5): 350-351. [Aaron sign]
• Aaron CD. Chronic appendicitis, pylorospasm and duodenal ulcer: a preliminary note. JAMA 1915;LXIV;(22):1845
• Aaron CD. Diseases of the Digestive Organs with special reference to their diagnosis and treatment. 1915 [2e 1918, 3e 1921]

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References

Biography

• CD Aaron dies at 91; Noted doctor. 05 Dec 1951; Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan
• Charles D. Aaron. The Journal of the Michigan State Medical Society 1952; 51(2): 240
• Donald D. Charles D. Aaron. Annals of Internal Medicine 1952; 36(5): 1380
• Dr Charles D Aaron. Michigan Jewish History. 1962; 3(2): 7-8
• Aaron, Charles Dettie. Who was who among North American authors, 1921-1939. Detroit : Gale Research Co. 1976: 1
• Dr Charles D Aaron. Find a grave Memorial
• Portrait. Charles Dettie Aaron. Images from the History of Medicine (IHM)
• Bibliography. Aaron, Charles D. (Charles Dettie) 1866-1951. WorldCat Identities

Eponymous sign

• Cadogan M. Appendicitis eponymous signs. LITFL