[The beginning of neurosurgery].

Trephining was practiced by neolithic man. But neurosurgery as a speciality arose only during the second half of the 19th century. Its first pioneers were Sir William Mac Ewen, Sir Victor Horsley, Fedor Drause, and Antoine Chipault. The leaders of the second generation were Harvey Cushing, Walter Dandy, Charles Elsberg and Charles Frazier. Mention deserve also Otfried Foerster, Thierry de Martel, Clovis Vincent, René Leriche and Ludwig Puusepp.