Recently discovered primary sources in the form of letters, memoranda and private communications between George Riddoch and Ludwig Guttmann provide much information on the setting up of spinal units in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. The two men developed a close relationship and in Guttmann, Riddoch found a man who had the knowledge, the ability and the energy to implement this shared vision.
SilverJRWeinerM-F. George Riddoch: The man who found Ludwig Guttmann. Spinal Cord2012; 50: 88–93.
2.
HeadHRiddochG. The autonomic bladder, excessive sweating and some other reflex conditions in gross injuries of the spinal cord. Brain1917; 40: 188–263.
3.
Dick TBS. Rehabilitation in chronic traumatic paraplegia – a clinical study. MD Thesis, Victoria University of Manchester, UK, 1949.
4.
Riddoch G. Memoranda on the treatment of spinal injuries 15.11.1944.
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SilverJR. History of the treatment of spinal injuries, New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2003, pp. 71–78.
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GuttmannL. Discussion on rehabilitation after injuries to the central nervous system. Proc R Soc Med1941; 35: 305–308.
7.
SilverJR. Ludwig Guttmann’s Memorandum: A review on the surgical aspects of spinal cord injuries. Spinal Cord Ser Cases2017; 3: 17047–17047.
8.
ScrutonJ. Stoke Mandeville: Road to the paralympics, Aylesbury: Peterhouse Press, 1998.
9.
SilverJRWeinerM-F. Sir Ludwig Guttmann: His neurology research and his role in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, 1939-1944. J R Coll Physicians Edin2013; 43: 270–277.
10.
GuttmannLWhitteridgeD. Effects of bladder distension on autonomic mechanisms after spinal cord injuries. Brain1947; 70: 361–404.
11.
Riddoch G. Research application forms and correspondence. London Public Record Office, 1944, FD1/6555.
12.
Guttmann L. Letter to George Riddoch dated 22nd January 1945.
13.
Riddoch G. Letter to Ludwig Guttmann dated 18th June 1945.
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Riddoch G. Letter to Ludwig Guttmann dated 15th March 1945.
15.
Guttmann L. Letter to George Riddoch dated 6th January 1947.
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Guttmann L. Letter to George Riddoch dated 9th August 1946.
17.
GuttmannL. Spinal cord injuries comprehensive management and research, Oxford, London, Edinburgh and Melbourne: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1973.
18.
Personal communication with Eva Loeffer, 2012.
19.
Personal communication with Jane Riddoch, October 2017.
20.
SilverJR. The making of Ludwig Guttmann. J Med Biogr2013; 21: 229–238.
