The evolution of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies

Summary

To summarize this report, it seems that the neurosurgical family has grown up. The children have gone their several ways to elaborate upon the teachings of their mentors and the old folks are being put on the shelf out of the way of the hustling young nut crackers anxious to get to the operating room. If you doubt this conclusion, note that at the Toronto Congress, only 4 of the 37 officers—the old guard—were listed to present papers on the scientific program. One wonders if the experience and wisdom of the older members is not being lost. Is there not a place on the broadening program for invited presentations by senior members?

Finally to those who have so unselfishly given of their services to lighten my task in the past dozen years, I extend my thanks and gratitude. To those members, credit is due for any service which the historian may have been able to render to the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.