Alton Ochsner was a giant of American surgery. His career encompassed patient care, teaching, and research as symbolized on the original seal of the Ochsner Clinic. His ideas were innovative and groundbreaking on many fronts, making him and the Ochsner Clinic nationally and internationally known. Examination of his card file, a simple metal box with 3 × 5 index cards and subject dividers, gives extraordinary insight into the professional interests of this remarkable physician and surgeon.
Keywords: Card file; Ochsner; history.