Lloyd Thomas Koritz — Human Guinea Pig
As a young doctor-in-training at the University of Illinois Medical School in the early 1950s, Lloyd Thomas Koritz volunteered to be a guinea pig in a variety of experiments. In one, he ate a pound of raw liver daily (washed down by a quart of milk) to help study liver metabolism. In a fatigue study he was kept unconscious for 11 hours.
But the most dangerous experiment involved being hung in a harness from a specially-constructed mast and knocked out with anesthesia and curare, so that his breathing stopped. Researchers then tested methods of resuscitating him. They were searching for more efficient ways of resuscitating electrocuted power line workers, so that they could revive the workers while they were still hanging from the poles instead of having to lower them while unconscious to the ground, which takes a lot of time.
I think it would be hard nowadays to get approval to do these kinds of tests on human subjects. Koritz said he disliked the liver-eating experiment the most. In 1953 he was given the Walter Reed Society Award for being willing to repeatedly risk his life for the sake of science.
But the most dangerous experiment involved being hung in a harness from a specially-constructed mast and knocked out with anesthesia and curare, so that his breathing stopped. Researchers then tested methods of resuscitating him. They were searching for more efficient ways of resuscitating electrocuted power line workers, so that they could revive the workers while they were still hanging from the poles instead of having to lower them while unconscious to the ground, which takes a lot of time.
I think it would be hard nowadays to get approval to do these kinds of tests on human subjects. Koritz said he disliked the liver-eating experiment the most. In 1953 he was given the Walter Reed Society Award for being willing to repeatedly risk his life for the sake of science.
"Drugged into unconsciousness and paralysis, [Koritz] willingly risked insanity
and death in a significant experiment. This test helped determine the best way
to revive electrically-shocked linemen."
Saturday Evening Post - July 25, 1953
San Bernardino County Sun - Apr 9, 1953
San Bernardino County Sun - Apr 9, 1953
Comments
Not so much different from fraternity pledge "training."
Posted by Virtual on 05/23/17 at 09:21 AM
@Virtual in Carnate - It's LESS dangerous!
Posted by PupTentacle on 05/23/17 at 10:45 AM
Sounds like the plot for one of those edge of death scare movies that were popular some twenty years ago. Am I right with the title "Paranormal Activity" as one of them?
Posted by KDP on 05/23/17 at 03:30 PM
I have had several pet guinea pigs, and I can assure you that they were very happy that they were not human.
After all, who (except this Dr. Koritz) really wants to be a human guinea pig?
After all, who (except this Dr. Koritz) really wants to be a human guinea pig?
Posted by Joshua Zev Levin, Ph.D. on 05/25/17 at 05:42 PM
His son, Thomas Koritz, took on a far more dangerous challenge. He was joined the military and was killed while conducting a bombing mission during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The Rochelle airport was renamed Koritz field. I lived in Rochelle for a few years but did not know either one of them.
Posted by David Plechaty on 05/29/17 at 01:29 AM
KDP -- you may be thinking of the movie "Flatliners" from 1980. That's the one that came to mind for me when I read that.
Posted by Kyle Morgan on 06/01/17 at 11:28 AM
Correction -- Flatliners was released in 1990.
Posted by Kyle Morgan on 06/01/17 at 11:29 AM
Kyle, I'm only vaguely aware of those type of stories. They are not to my taste.
Posted by KDP on 06/01/17 at 04:46 PM
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Category: Science | Experiments | 1950s