Dr. Giles Skey Brindley, a pioneering physiologist, advanced treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). His most memorable contribution came during a 1983 urology lecture that left a lasting impression.
The American Urological Association promotes excellence in urological care, hosting conferences where experts convene. Urologists routinely handle diverse penile conditions, so shocking them requires extraordinary measures. In 1983, in Las Vegas, Dr. Brindley achieved this through his groundbreaking—and audacious—ED demonstration.
Conference attendee Dr. Laurence Klotz, University of Toronto, encountered Dr. Brindley in the elevator carrying slides of erections, dressed casually. True to form, he took the stage in a blue tracksuit.
Dr. Brindley presented slides detailing his hypothesis: injecting vasoactive agents could induce erections. Lacking animal models, he conducted self-experiments, injecting substances like papaverine, phenoxybenzamine (an opium derivative), and phentolamine into his penis.
Colleagues viewed before-and-after photos of his flaccid and erect states—a fitting prelude.
As recounted by Dr. Klotz: "The professor aimed to present his case most convincingly. He self-injected papaverine in his hotel room beforehand, wore loose clothing for easy display, and circled the podium, adjusting his pants to highlight the erection."
Surprised murmurs ensued, but unsatisfied with the outline, Dr. Brindley dropped his pants and underwear, "revealing a long, thin, clearly erect penis." The room fell into stunned silence. Gravely, he offered: "I’d like some audience members to verify the tumescence."
Pants at his ankles, he approached the front row until screams from attendees jolted him. He quickly dressed, ended the session abruptly, and exited.
A bold moment in medical history.
