As Cold As Ice

As Cold As Ice https://aepc.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1077486322-scaled.jpeg 2560 1706 AEPC Health AEPC Health //aepc.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AEPC-LOGO-v1.png January 24, 2026 January 24, 2026

Two-thirds of the country is in the path of a monster winter storm. Spanning more than 2,000 miles from Texas to New England, the system is unleashing snow, ice, and dangerous cold as it barrels east. Experts warn that frostbite and hypothermia can strike fast—and even animals are at risk.

It’s tough to spot a silver lining in weather this harsh. But some people do. Take Dr. Louis Wilson, for example.

Winter, Put to Work
An old Scottish proverb says, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” The lesson: wishing alone doesn’t get the job done—action does. That idea echoes in a remark once attributed to Dr. William Mayo, who wished pathologists could tell surgeons if a growth was cancerous while the patient was still on the operating table.

At the time, it seemed impossible. Traditional pathology took days, meaning extra surgeries, more risk, and more suffering.

In 1905, Louis B. Wilson, M.D., became chief pathologist at the Mayo Clinic. Wilson saw the problem clearly—and decided to work on it.

Drawing on a childhood love of botany and his experience as a high school biology teacher, Wilson experimented. One bitter January day in Minnesota, when temperatures dipped to minus 20°F, he placed freshly removed tissue samples on a hospital windowsill. Within minutes, the cold froze them solid.

That simple act—using winter air as a tool—changed
everything.

Five Minutes on the Clock
Wilson dyed the frozen tissue with methylene blue, sliced it by hand using a razor and elder pith for support, and mounted the sections on glass slides. Under the microscope, the results were stunning. Vivid reds, purples, and blues replaced the dull browns and pinks of traditional slides—and most importantly, surgeons could tell within minutes if tissue was cancerous.

Within weeks, Wilson refined the process. By April 1905, he could provide a diagnosis in under five minutes, sometimes as fast as two. His frozen section technique slashed the need for repeat surgeries and cemented Mayo’s reputation for surgical excellence.

A Century Later, Still at Work
Fast forward to today, frozen section pathology—also called cryosectioning—is a routine but critical part of modern medicine. Tissue samples can be examined almost immediately, often in about 20 minutes. The technique helps surgeons in breast, lung, ovarian, thyroid, and head and neck cancers decide if a tumor has been fully removed or if cancer has spread.

Recent studies from Mayo Clinic thoracic surgeons in Rochester, Minnesota, show its power. Analyzing over 1,000 patients with early-stage lung cancer, researchers found frozen sections give surgeons real-time information, allowing them to adjust their surgical plan on the spot. The result: fewer incomplete removals, fewer missed cancers, and better outcomes.

Winter’s Lessons
It’s remarkable to think that a technique born of winter cold and creative problem-solving more than a century ago continues to save lives today.

As the storm outside reminds us of winter’s dangers, it also offers a quieter lesson. As Oscar Wilde once observed, “Wisdom comes with winters.”

The winter storm may test our patience and resilience—but if history is any guide, a little cold can also spark enduring wisdom.

Happy reading,
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.

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