Which of the following are true about the history of neurosurgery?

A. The history of trepanation dates back to the Neolithic period

C. The writings of Hippocrates contain the first recorded descriptions of trepanation.

D. The three key developments that were necessary to permit successful intracranial and intraspinal surgery were anesthesia, asepsis, and the concept of localization of different functions in different areas of the nervous system.

E. Victor Horsely of London was the first surgeon to specialize in neurosurgery. 

DISCUSSION: Many skulls from the Neolithic period have been found, some of which contain cranial defects with evidence of bone healing, indicating that these individuals underwent trepanation during life and survived the operation. The earliest known writing dealing with surgical topics is the Edwin Smith papyrus. In the works of Hippocrates is the first written account of trepanation. During the second half of the nineteenth century, general anesthesia was introduced and the principles of asepsis were developed. These steps were important for all areas of surgery, including neurosurgery. In addition, it became recognized that certain areas of the nervous system were especially important for certain neurologic functions and that intracranial and intraspinal abnormalities might be localized by the history and neurologic examination findings, thus providing a more specific target for neurosurgical exploration through the small bony openings to which surgeons were restricted at the time. Victor Horsley of London was the first surgeon to prepare himself specifically for surgery of the nervous system and to concentrate his efforts in that area.