STONES, SPACE, AND DR. ABRAHAM T. K. COCKETT: A HISTORY OF UROLITHIASIS AND AEROSPACE MEDICINE

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology Forum II (FR02)1 Apr 2019FR02-05 STONES, SPACE, AND DR. ABRAHAM T. K. COCKETT: A HISTORY OF UROLITHIASIS AND AEROSPACE MEDICINE Michael Witthaus*, Erdal Erturk, and Ronald Rabinowitz Michael Witthaus*Michael Witthaus* More articles by this author , Erdal ErturkErdal Erturk More articles by this author , and Ronald RabinowitzRonald Rabinowitz More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0000555418.67392.0aAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Homo sapiens have suffered from stone disease since ancient times with the earliest evidence dating to the Stone Age (Mesolithic period). The history of urolithiasis has been documented on multiple continents with equal gender distribution. The once constant variable of gravity has now changed in the events of space travel beginning in the 20th century and has become a large contributing factor to the milieu effecting stone disease among astronauts. Abraham T. K. Cockett (1928-2011) was the former Chief of Experimental Surgery at the School of Aerospace Medicine during the John F. Kennedy Presidential Administration during the “Space Race” period of the 1960‘s. METHODS: The history of urolithiasis and aerospace medicine was reviewed with the assistance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Historical Society and images were provided by the NASA Office of Communications with searches performed through the NASA Historical Reference Collection and Technical Reports Server (NTRS). A Pub Med Database literature search was performed for Dr. Abraham T. K. Cockett from 1950-2011 and further historical information pertaining to his personal and professional life were obtained from the University of Rochester Department of Urology. RESULTS: Articles identified pertaining to aerospace medicine were examined in detail. Press releases, mission transcripts, speeches and research manuscripts were organized for a coherent recognition of Dr. Cockett’s work in the cultural setting of the “Space Race” during the Kennedy Administration. CONCLUSIONS: Urolithiasis accounts for a significant amount of pathology in astronauts from the beginning of the space program and will likely continue as a significant issue in future space travel by mechanisms distinctly postulated and described by Dr. Cockett. Source of Funding: none Rochester, NY© 2019 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 201Issue Supplement 4April 2019Page: e252-e252 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2019 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Michael Witthaus* More articles by this author Erdal Erturk More articles by this author Ronald Rabinowitz More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...