, brother of the preceding, was also born at Riez, and became a surgeon and medical writer of considerable eminence. His publications
, brother of the preceding, was also
born at Riez, and became a surgeon and medical writer of
considerable eminence. His publications are: 1. “Htstoire des Os,
” Paris, Traité des plaies
d'Arquebusades,
” Paris, Le parfait
Chirurgien d'armée,
”
upon account of his learning, and some portion of the spirit of literary research. He was the son of a surgeon, but became a great favourite in the courts of Charles
lived in the latter end of the
sixteenth, and beginning of the seventeenth centuries, and
acquired in his own time considerable fame upon account
of his learning, and some portion of the spirit of literary
research. He was the son of a surgeon, but became a
great favourite in the courts of Charles IX. of France, and
his brother Henry III. and was gradually advanced to offices of high trust in the state. From his childhood, he
said, he had been always fond of looking into old libraries,
and turning over dusty manuscripts. In some of these researches he laid his hands on the letters of Abelard and
Heloise, which he read with much pleasure, and was induced to pursue his inquiries. He found other works of
the same author; but they were ill-written, and not to be
unravelled without great labour, yet nothing can withstand
the indefatigable toil of a true antiquary. Amboise procured other manuscripts; collated them together, and
finally produced one fair copy, which made ample compensation, he says, for all the labour he had endured.
Even posterity, he thinks, will be grateful to him, and
know how to value the pleasure and the profit, they will
derive from his researches. Not satisfied, however, with
the copy he possessed, he still wished to enlarge it. He
applied to different monasteries, and he again searched the
libraries in Paris, and not without success. His friends
applauded his zeal, and gave him their assistance. His
manuscripts swelled to a large bulk, and he read, arranged,
and selected what pleased him best. The rising sun, he
says, often found him at his task. So far fortune had
smiled upon his labours, but somewhat was wanting to give
them the last finish. He went over to the Paraclet, where the
abbess, Madame de Rochefoucauld, received him with the
greatest politeness. He declared the motive of his journey;
she took him by the hand, and led him to the tomb of
Abelard and Heloise. Together they examined the library
of the abbey, and she shewed him many hymns, and
prayers, and homilies, written by their founder, which were
still used in their church. Amboise then returned to Paris,
and prepared his work for the press. As the reputation of
his author, he knew, had been much aspersed by some
contemporary writers, he wished to remove the undeserved
stigma, and to present him as immaculate as might be, before the eyes of a more discerning age. With this view
he wrote a long “Apologetic preface,
” which he meant
should be prefixed to the work. In this preface, an inelegant and affected composition, he labours much to shew
that Abelard was the greatest and best man, and Heloise
the greatest and best woman, whom the annals of human
kind had recorded. He first, very fairly, brings the testimony of those, who had spoken evil of them, whom he endeavours to combat and refute. To these succeeds a list
of their admirers. He dwells on their every word, and
gives more weight to their expressions, and the result is
what we might expect from the pen of Amboise. The compilation, however, although unsuccessful in its main design, contains. some curious matter, and may be read with,
pleasure. But he did not live to see it published, for it was
not printed till the year 1616. He died before this, but
the exact time is not known. The editor of the Dictiounaire Historique places his death in 1620, which must be a
mistake. His works are, 1. “Notable Discours, en forme
de dialogue, touchant la vraie et parfaicte amitie,
” translated from the Italian of Piccolomini, Lyons, 1577, 16mo.
2. “Dialogue et Devis des Damoiselles, pour les rendre
vertueuses et bienheureuses en la vraye et parfaicte amitie.
”
Paris, Regrets facetieux et
plaisantes Harangues funebres sur la mort de divers animaulx,
” from the Italian of Ortensio Lando, Paris, Les Neapolitaines,
” a French comedy,
Paris, Desesperades, ou Eglogues amourouses,
” Paris, Holophernes,
” printed at Paris,
iter of the English nation, whose works come within the notice of Dr. Freind. It appears that he was a surgeon of great experience, and the first who is recorded as
, an early medical writer of the English nation, whose works come within the notice of Dr.
Freind. It appears that he was a surgeon of great experience, and the first who is recorded as having become
eminent in that branch in this nation. He was many years
settled in the town of Newark, from 1348 to 1370, when
he removed to London; but the exact time of his death is
not known. Although much empiricism and superstition
appear in his practice, yet many useful observations are
to be found in his writings, and he may be classed among
those who have really improved their profession. A treatise of his on the “Fistula in Ano
” was translated and
published by John Read in De re Herbaria, Physica, et Chirurgica.
”
, a surgeon of some eminence in London, was originally a native
, a surgeon of some
eminence in London, was originally a native of France,
and a member of the Academy of surgery at Paris, which
city he left about the year forty-six or seven, and came to
reside in London. Here he published several works, particujarly on Ruptures; the first was entitled “Dissertations on Ruptures,
” Plain and familiar instructions to persons afflicted
with Ruptures,
” 12mo; “Observations on Aneurism,
” Familiar instructions on the diseases of the Urethra and
Bladder,
” Dissertations on Hermaphrodites,
” A discourse on the importance of Anatomy,
” delivered
at Surgeons’ hall, Jan. 21, 1767, 4to. His principal work
appeared in 1768, entitled “Memoires de Chirurgie, avec
des remarques sur l'etat de la Medicine et de la Chirurgie
en France et en Angleterre,
” 2 vols. 4to. This is the only
work he published in French, after his coming to England
It consists of eleven memoirs, two of which are translated
from the English of Dr. Hunter’s Medical Commentaries,
on the Hernia Congenita, and a particular species of
Aneurism. He appears, as a practitioner, to have possessed
much skill, and as a writer to have been industrious in collecting information on the topics which employed his pen,
but was somewhat deficient in judgment, and not a little
credulous. So much was he attached to the ancient prejudices of his church, that he employs one of the memoirs
in these volumes on the question, whether a rupture should
incapacitate a man from performing the functions of the
Romish priesthood, which he, however, is disposed to
decide in the negative. Ie informs us in this work, that
he had studied rupture cases for the space of fifty years,
and that the same study had been cultivated in his family
for the space of 200 years. The only notice we have of
his reputation in his own country is to be found in the dis
course on Anatomy which he delivered in Surgeons’ hall.
In this he informs us that he had the honour to instruct
Adelaide of Orleans, princess of the blood, and a very
accomplished lady, in the operations of surgery.
ame, war also dean of the faculty at Paris, where he died in 1787, at the age of eighty. He was long a surgeon in the armies of Italy and Germany, and published some
, ancient professor and
dean of the faculty of medicine at Paris, the place of his
birth, died July 29, 1758, at about the age of 72. He had
a great share in the Pharmacopoeia of Paris, for 1732, 4to;
and in 1739, gave an academical dissertation in Latin on
chocolate, “An senibus Chocolate potas?
” which has
been often reprinted. His son, of the same name, war
also dean of the faculty at Paris, where he died in 1787, at
the age of eighty. He was long a surgeon in the armies of
Italy and Germany, and published some medical works.
There was a Theodore Baron before these, probably their
ancestor, who, in 1609, published a curious work entitled
“De operationis meiendi triplici lacsione et curatione,
” of
which Haller gives a brief analysis.
, a surgeon and anatomist of considerable reputation, was born at
, a surgeon and anatomist of considerable reputation, was born at Bremen in 1690, whence,
in 1713, he went to Halle, and studied medicine under
the ablest professors. In 1715 he removed to Strasburgh,
and afterwards to Basle, where he confined his researches
entirely to anatomy and surgery. In 1718 he took his
doctor’s degree at Halle, and some time after was appointed professor extraordinary of anatomy and surgery,
which office he held until his death, in 1754, He published: 1. “Disputatio de Fistula ani feliciter curanda,
”
Halle, Theses,
” and Macquart translated it into
French, Paris, Grundlicher Beritcht oon bandagen,
” Leipsic,
Observationes anatomico-chirurgico-medicoe,
” Halle, 1731, 8vo,
In this there are many judicious reflections and cases, accompanied by figures descriptive of some instruments of
his invention. 4. “Tractatus de morbis venereis,
” Leipsic, Notes on the Surgery of Nuck,
” Halle,
and educated in the profession of medicine and surgery. In his eighteenth year he began practice as a surgeon, and acquired such reputation as to be frequently consulted
, the first of a family of men of learning and fame, was born at Amiens, Aug. 24, 1511, and educated in the profession of medicine and surgery. In his eighteenth year he began practice as a surgeon, and acquired such reputation as to be frequently consulted by persons of the first rank; and queen Catherine of Navarre bestowed on him the title of her physician. His connections with the ct new heretics," as Moreri calls the Protestants, induced him to adopt their opinions. In 1532 he went to England, we are not told why, and practised there, for three years, after which he returned to Paris, and married; but having avowed his principles with boldness, and afforded assistance and protection to those of the reformed religion, he was thrown into prison in the reign of Francis I. and condemned to be burnt; but queen Margaret, who was sister to that prince, obtained his pardon and release, and appointed him her physician and surgeon in ordinary. Some time after, not thinking himself secure, even under her protection, he went to Antwerp and practised medicine, but even here the dread of the Spanish inquisition obliged him to retire to Germany, and at length he obtained an asylum at Basil, and for some time was corrector of the Froben press. He then resumed his profession, and was made assessor, and afterwards dean of the faculty. He died in 1582, leaving two sons, the subjects of the following articles.
esolved to submit to the operation of cutting. But his constancy was not put to this last proof, for a surgeon letting him blood by way of precaution, pricked an artery,
Mr. Voltaire is of opinion that these inscriptions were the best of his productions, and he regrets that they have not been collected. Benserade suffered at last so much from the stone, that, notwithstanding his great age, he resolved to submit to the operation of cutting. But his constancy was not put to this last proof, for a surgeon letting him blood by way of precaution, pricked an artery, and, instead of endeavouring to stop the effusion of blood, Fan away Commire, his friend and confessor, was called in, who arrived in time to witness his death, Oct. 19, 1691. He had been a member of the French academy from 1674. Pascal says he was the repeater of many bad bons-mots, and those which his biographers have recorded are certainly of that description. His theatrical pieces, Cleopatra, the death of Achilles, &c. were printed singly from 1636 to 1641, 4to; but his whole works, including a selection from his rondeaus taken from Ovid, were printed at Paris, 1697, 2 vols. 12mo.
egiae,” Leyden, 1700, 4to, pagg. 4. This piece contains a very severe accusation against Mr. Cowper, a surgeon of London, and fellow of the royal society. Dr. Bidloo
, a famous anatomical writer, was
born at Amsterdam March 12, 1649. After he had passed
through his academical studies, he applied himself to
physic and anatomy, and took his degree of M. D. He
soon acquired considerable practice; in 1688 was made
professor of anatomy at the Hague, which he quitted in
1694 for the professorship of anatomy and chirurgery at
Leyden; and afterwards William III. of England appointed
him his physician, which he accepted on condition of
holding his professorship. The king died in 1702, and
Bidloo returned to his former employments, in which he
had been interrupted by his constant attendance upon that
prince. He died at Ley den, April 1713, being 64 years
of age. His chief work was his “Anatomia humani corporis,
” in Vindiciae quorundam Delineationum Anatomicarum contra ineptasAnimadversionesF. Ruyschii, &c.
” A letter to Anthony Leeuvvenhoek concerning the animals which are sometimes found in the liver of
sheep or some other animals.
” This was published in Low
Dutch, Delft, Gulielmus Cowper criminis
Literarii citatus coram tribunali nobiliss. ampliss. Societatis
Britanno-Regiae,
” Leyden, Exercitationum Anatomico-Chirurgicarum Decades
dua
”,“Leyden, 1708, 4to. 4. He published likewise a small
piece upon the disease of which king William III. of England died. 5.
” Letters of the Apostles who were martyred,“Amsterdam, 1698, 4to, in Low Dutch verse, of
which, as well as of Latin, he was very fond, and was
thought to have succeeded. He supposes jn this book,
that the apostles wrote these letters before they suffered,
martyrdom, and addressed them to their disciples, in order
to inform them of their last desires, and to instruct them in
what manner they ought to act after themselves were removed from this world. There was published at Leyden,
1719, a miscellaneous collection of our author’s poems in
Low Dutch. His brother, Lambert Bidloo, an apothecary
at Amsterdam, was the author of some Dutch poetry, and
of a work
” De re herbaria,“printed at the end of the
” Catalogue of the Garden of Amsterdam," by Commelin,
Leyden, 1709, 12mo. Lambert’s son, Nicholas, became
first physician to the Czar Peter I., and inspector of the
hospital of St. Petersburgh.
, a surgeon, born at Coire in Swisserland, in 1720, studied at Strasburgh
, a surgeon, born at Coire
in Swisserland, in 1720, studied at Strasburgh and Paris,
and afterwards served in the Prussian army, and became
surgeon-general. He received a doctor’s degree at Halle
in 1761, and was admitted a member of various learned
societies and to these honours the emperor of Germany
added titles of nobility, of which, however, Bilguer never
made any use. His fame abroad, as well as in this country, principally rests on his famous inaugural thesis, entitled, “Dissertatio inauguralis medico-chirurgica de membrorum Amputatione rarissime administranda aut quasi abroganda,
” Berlin, Dissertation sur
l‘inutilite de l’Amputation,
” Paris, Thoughts on Amputation.
”
Bilguer published also, in German, “Instructions for the
practice of Surgery in army-hospitals,
” Leipsic, Advice to Hypochondriacs,
” &c. He died in
mber of the imperial academy of Florence, was born at Paris April 10, 1728. His father, who was also a surgeon, destined him for the same profession, which had long
, regius professor and director of the academy of surgery, veteran associate of the
academy of sciences of Paris, and member of the imperial
academy of Florence, was born at Paris April 10, 1728.
His father, who was also a surgeon, destined him for the
same profession, which had long been followed by the
branches of his family, but began with giving him the ordinary course of a learned education that he might acquire
the languages in which the most celebrated anatomists of
former ages wrote, and some of those principles of philosophy which are the foundation of all sciences and arts.
Young Bordenave’s proficiency fully answered his father’s
expectations, and he soon fdled the distinguished situations
already mentioned, and contributed many valuable papers
to the Memoirs of the academy of surgery, on extraordinary
cases which occurred in his practice: the treatment of gunshot wounds, and anatomical subjects. He also in 1757
made some experiments to illustrate Haller’s opinion on the
difference between sensible or irritable parts, and wrote a
work in defence of that celebrated anatomist’s opinion on
the formation of the bones, against that of Duhamel. He
also, in 1768, translated Haller’s Elements of Physiology
for the use of his students, but he had previously, in 1756,
published a new work on the same subject, admired for
precision of method. Bordenave had long wished for a
place in the academy of sciences, and in 1774 was elected
a veteran associate. This title, it seems, indicates that the
party has been chosen contrary to the statutes, and that the
academy did not choose him of their own will; but for this he
was not to blame, as such an election was totally contrary to
his wish. In a short time, however, the academicians were
reconciled, and Bordenave enriched their memoirs with
some important papers. Bordenave also became echevin,
or sheriff, of Paris, an office never before conferred on a
surgeon, but. which he filled in a manner highly creditable,
and directed his attention, as a magistrate, chiefly to the
health of the city. On the birth of Louis XVII. he was honoured with the ribbon of the order of St. Michael, in consideration of his talents and services, but did not long enjoy
this honour, being seized with an apoplexy, which after
eight days proved fatal, March 12, 1782. Besides the
works already noticed, he published, “Dissertations sur
les Antiseptiques,
” Memoires sur le
danger des Caustiques pour la cure radicale des Hernies,
”
of his blood fie prove del sangue) transmitted him from home.” I have already performed the part of a surgeon,“returned the king,” and have found that thy blood is
Besides the choice and arrangement of the royal amusements, Farinello was employed in various other matters that
required a delicate taste. Queen Barbara having resolved
on an institution for the education of young ladies, our
singer was pitched upon not only to plan and direct the
erection of the convent, and the proper retirade for the
queen adjoining, but he gave orders for the making of the
furniture suitable to the structure; and the church vessels,
which he caused to be executed with incredible alacrity,
at Naples, Bologna, and Milan. He himself made a donation to this establishment of a picture, by the hand of the
celebrated Moriglio, of St. John de Dio, founder of the
brethren of mercy, carrying a sick man on his back. He
was likewise inspector of the music of the royal chapel;
which he provided with the most noted spiritual compositions, by which the chapel of his holiness at Rome is distinguished above all others.
King Ferdinand had purposed all along to reward the
ingenuity and attachment of Farinello by splendid promotions. He had already offered him several posts of honour,
and at length pressed him to accent of a place in the royal
council of finance. But, on his refusing them all, the
king privately found means to get from Naples the attestations of his nobility, that he might honour him with the
order of Calatrava. One day, holding up to him the cross
of the order, he said to him, “Let us see then whether
thou wilt persevere in refusing every thing that comes
from our hand. 7 ' Farinello fell on his knee before the
king, and begged him graciously to withhold this honour,
at least till he could have the proofs of the genuine nobility of his blood fie prove del sangue) transmitted him
from home.
” I have already performed the part of a surgeon,“returned the king,
” and have found that thy blood
is good;" and then with his own hand fixed the cross upon
his breast. He afterwards received the order with all due
formality from the grand master, in the convent of the
ladies of Comthury of Calatrava, among the archives
whereof the originals of it are preserved.
, born at Paris in 1665, was the son of a surgeon, who, not being very prosperous in his practice, had
, born at Paris in 1665, was
the son of a surgeon, who, not being very prosperous in
his practice, had recourse for his support to music; and
first performed, professionally, at Lyons; and afterwards
went to Paris and played on the harp to Louis XIV. who
was much pleased with his performance. His son, Peter
John, was so sickly and feeble during infancy, that he
passed almost his whole youth in amusing himself on the
spinet, and in the study of music; but he had so strong a
passion for this instrument, that he had scarcely arrived
at his ninth year when he was heard at court, accompanied by his father on the harp. Two years after, the
king heard him again, when he performed a duet with
his father on the harp, and at eleven years of age he
assisted him in giving lessons to his scholars. His taste
for music, however, did not extinguish his passion for
other sciences. He taught himself Latin and Greek with
little assistance from others; and the study of these languages inclined him to medical inquiries. At eighteen
years old he attended, for the first time, the public schools,
went through a course of philosophy, and took lessons in
the schools of medicine. And even during this time he
learned Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, German, and English, sufficiently to understand them in
books. He was at length admitted of the faculty at Paris,
and practised with reputation during thirty-three years.
In 1705, he was received into the academy of belleslettres, and in 1706 he had a considerable share in the
publication of the “Journal des Scavans,
” at which he
laboured more than thirty years. In
holars. He had several children, but none made any figure in the learned world; one, named John, was a surgeon at Canterbury .
, son of the preceding, was born
at Geneva, August 14, 1599, and had the name of Meric
from Meric de Vicq, a great friend and benefactor to his
father. His first education he received at Sedan, but
coming to England with his father, in the year 1610, he
was instructed by a private master till 1614, when he was
sent to Christ Church, Oxford; and being put there under
a most careful tutor, Dr. Edward Meetkirk (afterwards Regius Hebrew professor), was soon after elected a student
of that house. He took the degree of bachelor of arts,
May 8, 1618, and that of master, June 14, 1621, being
even then eminent for his extensive learning; and the
same year, though he was but two and twenty, he published a book in defence of his father, against the calumnies of certain Roman catholics, entitled “Pietas contra
maledicos, &c.
” Loud. Vindicatio Patris, &c.
” Exercitations against Baronius’s Annals,
” but was diverted
by some accident. At length, when he came to maturity
of years for such a work, and had acquainted archbishop
Laud, his great friend and patron, with his design, who
was very ready to place him conveniently in Oxford or
London, according to his desire, that he might be furnished
with books necessary for such a purpose, the rebellion
broke out in England. Having now no fixed habitation, he
was forced to sell a good part of his books; and, after
about twenty years’ sufferings, became so infirm, that he
could not expect to live many years, and was obliged to
relinquish his design. Before this, however, in June
1628, he was made prebendary of Canterbury, through
the interest of bishop Laud; and when that prelate was
promoted to the archbishopric of Canterbury, he collated
him, in Oct. 1634, to the vicarage of Minster, in the Isle
of Thanet; and in the same month, he was inducted into
the vicarage of Monckton, in that island. In August 1636,
he was created doctor in divinity, by order of king
Charles I. who was entertained at the same time, with his
queen, by the university of Oxford. About the year 1644,
during the heat of the civil wars, he was deprived of his
preferments, abused, fined, and imprisoned. In 1649,
one Mr. Greaves, of Gray’s inn, an intimate acquaintance
of his, brought him a message from Oliver Cromwell, then
lieutenant-general of the parliament forces, desiring him to
come to Whitehall, on purpose to confer with him about
matters of moment; but his wife being lately dead, and
not, as he said, buried, he desired to be excused. Greaves
came again afterwards, and Dr. Casaubon being somewhat
alarmed, desired him to tell him the meaning of the matter; but Greaves refusing, went away the second time.
At length he returned again, and told him, that the lieutenant-general intended his good and advancement; and
his particular errand was, that he would make use of his
pen to write the history of the late war; desiring withal,
that nothing but matters of fact should be impartially set
down. The doctor answered, that he desired his humble
service and hearty thanks should be returned for the great
honour done unto him; but that he was uncapable in several respects for such an employment, and could not so
impartially engage in it, as to avoid such reflections as
would be ungrateful, if not injurious, to his lordship.
Notwithstanding this answer, Cromwell seemed so sensible
of his worth, that he acknowledged a great respect for him;
and, as a testimony of it, ordered, that upon the first demand there should be delivered to him three or four hundred pounds, by a bookseller in London, whose name was
Cromwell, whenever his occasions should require, without
acknowledging, at the receipt of it, who was his benefactor.
But this ofter he rejected, although almost in want. At
the same time, it was proposed by Mr. Greaves, who belonged to the library at St. James’s, that if our author
would gratify him in the foregoing request, Cromwell
would restore to him all his father’s books, which were then
in the royal library, having been purchased by king James;
and withal give him a patent for three hundred pounds a
year, to be paid to the family as long as the youngest sou
of Dr. Casaubon should live, but this also was refused.
Not long after, it was intimated to him, by the ambassador
of Christiana, queen of Sweden, that the queen wished
him to come over, and take upon him the government of
one, or inspection of all her universities; and, as an encouragement, she proposed not only an honourable salary
for himself, but offered to settle three hundred pounds a
year upon his eldest son during life: but this also he
waved, being fully determined to spend the remainder of
his days in England. At the restoration of king Charles II.
he recovered his preferments; namely, his prebend of
Canterbury in July 1660, and his vicarages of Monckton
and Minster the same year: but, two years after, he exchanged this last for the rectory of Ickham, near Canterbury, to which he was admitted Oct. 4, 1662. He had a
design, in the latter part of his days, of writing his own
life; and would often confess, that he thought himself
obliged to do it, out of gratitude to the Divine Providence,
which had preserved and delivered him from more hazardous occurrences than ever any man (as he thought) besides
himself had encountered with; particularly in his escape
from a fire in the night-time, which happened in the house
where he lived, at Geneva, while he was a boy: in his recovery from a sickness at Christ Church, in Oxford, when
he was given over for dead, by a chemical preparation administered to him by a young physician: in his wonderful
preservation from drowning, when overset in a boat on the
Thames near London, the two watermen being drowned,
and himself buoyed up by his priest’s coat: and in his
bearing several abuses, fines, imprisonments, &c. laid
upon him by the republicans in the time of his sequestration: but this he did not execute. He died July 14, 1671,
in the seventy-second year of his age, and was buried in the
south part of the first south cross aile of Canterbury cathedral. Over his grave was soon after erected a handsome
monument with an inscription. He left by will a great
number of manuscripts to the university of Oxford. His
character is thus represented. He was a general scholar,
but not of particular excellence, unless in criticism, in
which probably he was assisted by his father’s notes and
papers. According to the custom of the times he lived in,
he displays his extensive reading by an extraordinary mixture of Greek and Latin quotations and phrases. He was
wont to ascribe to Descartes’s philosophy, the little inclination people had in his time for polite learning. Sir William Temple very highly praises his work, hereafter mentioned, on “Enthusiasm;
” and unquestionably it contains
in any curious and learned remarks; buthisbeingamaintainer
of the reality of witches and apparitions, shews that he was
not more free from one species of enthusiasm than most of
his contemporaries. In his private character he was eminent for his piety, charity to the poor, and his courteous
and affable disposition towards scholars. He had several
children, but none made any figure in the learned world;
one, named John, was a surgeon at Canterbury .
y’s epitaph on Canynge’s ancestor, and some smaller pieces. These Catcot communicated to Mr. Barret, a surgeon, who was writing a History of Bristol, and would naturally
Such is the story of the discovery of the poems attributed to Rowley, which Chatterton evidently made up
from the credulity of his mother and other friends, who
could not read the parchments on which he affected to set
so high a value, and which he afterwards endeavoured to
render of public importance by producing these wonderful
treasures of Canynge’s cofre. In his attempt already related, respecting the old bridge, he had not been eminently
successful, owing to his prevarication. He now imparted
some of these manuscripts to George Catcot, a pewterer of
Bristol, who had heard of the discovery, and desired to be
introduced to Chatterton. The latter very readily gave
him the “Bristow Tragedy,
” Rowley’s epitaph on Canynge’s ancestor, and some smaller pieces. These Catcot
communicated to Mr. Barret, a surgeon, who was writing
a History of Bristol, and would naturally be glad to add to
its honours that of having produced such a poet as Rowley,
In his conversations with Barret and Catcot, he appears to
have been driven to many prevarications, sometimes owning that he had destroyed several of these valuable manuscripts, and at other times asserting that he was in possession of others which he could not produce. These contradictions must have entirely destroyed his evidence in any
other case, in the opinion of thinking and impartial judges;
but the historian of Bristol could not forego the hopes of
enriching his book by originals of so great importance; and
having obtained from Chatterton several fragments, some
of considerable length, actually introduced them as authentic in his history, long after the controversy ceased,
which had convinced the learned world that he had been
egregiously duped.
n this country, having been introduced, not many years before, by M. Bussiere, a French refugee, and a surgeon of high note in the reign of queen Anne. Till then,
, an eminent surgeon and
anatomist, and a celebrated writer, was born Oct. 19, 1688,
at Burrow-on-the-Hill, near Somerby in Leicestershire.
After having received a classical education, and been
instructed in the rudiments of his profession at Leicester, he was placed about 1703, under the immediate
tuition of the celebrated anatomist Cowper, and resided
in his house, and at the same time studied surgery under
Mr. Feme, the head surgeon of St. Thomas’s hospital.
Such was the proficiency he made under these able masters, that he himself began, at the age of twenty-two, to
read lectures in anatomy, a syllabus of which, in 4to, was
first printed in 1711. Lectures of this kind were then,
somewhat new in this country, having been introduced,
not many years before, by M. Bussiere, a French refugee,
and a surgeon of high note in the reign of queen Anne. Till
then, the popular prejudices had run so high against the
practice of dissection, that the civil power found it difficult
to accommodate the lecturers with proper subjects; and
pupils were obliged to attend the universities, or other public
seminaries, where, likewise, the procuring of bodies was no
easy task. It is an extraordinary proof of Mr. Cheselden’s
early reputation, that he had the honour of being chosen a
member of the royal society in 1711, when he could be little
more than twenty- three years of age but he soon justified
their choice, by a variety of curious and useful communications. Nor were his contributions limited to the royal society,
but are to be found in the memoirs of the royal academy of
surgeons at Paris, and in other valuable repositories. In
1713 Mr. Cheselden published in 8vo, his “Anatomy of
the Human Body,
” reprinted in
r-house of Beckesburn in Kent. He formed it indeed into a complete hospital; appointing a physician, a surgeon, nurses, and every thing proper, as well for food as
Among other instances of the archbishop’s charity, we have one recorded which was truly noble. After the destruction of monasteries, and before hospitals were erected, the nation saw no species of greater misery, than that of wounded and disbanded soldiers. For the use of such miserable objects, as were landed on the southern coasts of the island, the archbishop fitted up his manor-house of Beckesburn in Kent. He formed it indeed into a complete hospital; appointing a physician, a surgeon, nurses, and every thing proper, as well for food as physic. Nor did his charity stop here. Each man, on his recovery, was furnished with money to carry him home, in proportion to the distance of his abode.
12, of respectable though indigent parents in Lanarkshire. Hav^ ing served a short apprenticeship to a surgeon and apothecary in Glasgow, he obtained the place of
, one of the most eminent physicians of the last century, was born Dec, 11, 1712, of respectable though indigent parents in Lanarkshire. Hav^ ing served a short apprenticeship to a surgeon and apothecary in Glasgow, he obtained the place of a surgeon in one of the merchant’s vessels from London to the West Indies. Not liking his employment, he returned to his own county, where he practised a short time in the parish of Shotts, among the farmers and country people, and then removed to Hamilton, intending to practise there as a physician. While he resided near Shotts, Archibald duke of Argyle made a visit to a gentleman in that neighbourhood. His grace was engaged in some chemical researches which required elucidation by experiments, for which he then wanted the proper apparatus. The gentleman, recollecting young Cullen, mentioned him as the person who could most probably supply his wants. He was consequently invited to dinner, and presented to the duke, with whom he commenced an acquaintance, to which he was probably indebted for all his future fortune. The name of Cullen having thus become known, his reputation as a practitioner was soon established in the neighbourhood. The duke of Hamilton likewise happened then to be for a short time in that part of the country, and having been suddenly taken ill, was induced by the character which he had heard of Cullen to send for his assistance, and was not only benefited by his skill, but amply gratified xvith his conversation. He accordingly obtained for him a place in the university of Glasgow, where his talents soon became more conspicuous. It was not, however, solely to the favour of these two great men that Cullen owed his literary fame. He was recommended to the notice of men of science in a way still more honourable to himself. The disease of the duke of Hamilton having resisted the effect of the first applications, Dr. Clarke was sent for from Edinburgh; and he was so much pleased with every thing that Cullen had done, that he became his eulogist upon every occasion. Cullen never forgot this; and when Clarke died, gave a public oration in his praise in the university of Edinburgh; which, it is believed, was the first of the kind in that kingdom.
, a voluminous writer on almost every branch of medicine, was the son of a surgeon of Montpellier. In 1691 he was made M. D. and in 1697,
, a voluminous writer on almost
every branch of medicine, was the son of a surgeon of
Montpellier. In 1691 he was made M. D. and in 1697,
professor of chemistry. He was also honoured with the
ribbon of the order of St. Michael, and was admitted one
of the foreign members of the royal society of London.
In 1732, being appointed physician to the galleys, he
quitted Montpellier, and went to Marseilles, where he died
on the 3d of April, 1746. Of his works, the following
have been most noticed: “Experiences sur la Bile, et les
cadavres des pestiferes, faites par M. D.; accompagnees
des Lettres, &c.
” Zurich, Chymie raisonnee, ou Ton tache de decouvrir
la nature et la maniere d'agir des remedes chymiques les
plus en usage en medicine et en chirurgie,
” Lyon,
t who spent most of his life in England, was born at Vitri in Champagne May 26, 1667. His father was a surgeon, and spared no pains in his education, and sent him
, a celebrated mathematician,
of French original, but who spent most of his life in England, was born at Vitri in Champagne May 26, 1667.
His father was a surgeon, and spared no pains in his education, and sent him early to school, where he wrote a
letter to his parents in 1673, a circumstance which filial
affection made him often mention with great pleasure.
For some time he was educated under a popish priest, but
was afterwards sent to a protestant academy at Sedan,
where his predilection for arithmetical calculations so
frequently took the place of classical studies, that his master one day pettishly asked, what the “little rogue meant
to do with those cyphers?
” He afterwards studied at
Saumur and Paris, at which last place he began his mathematics under Ozanam. At length the revocation of the
edict of Nantz, in 1685, determined him, with many others,
to take shelter in England; where he perfected his naathematical studies. A mediocrity of fortune obliged him
to employ his talent in this way in giving lessons, and
reading public lectures, for his better support: in the latter part of his life too, he chiefly subsisted by giving answers to questions in chances, play, annuities, &c. and it
is said many of these responses were delivered at a coffee-,
house in St. Martin’s-lane, where he spent much of his
time. The “Principia Mathematica
” of Newton, which
chance is said to have thrown in his way, soon convinced
Demoivre how little he had advanced in the science he
professed. This induced him to redouble his application;
which was attended by a considerable degree of success;
and he soon became connected with, and celebrated among,
the first-rate mathematicians. His eminence and abilities
in this science opened him an entrance into the royal society of London, and into the academies of Berlin and
Paris. By the former his merit was so well known and
esteemed, that they judged him a fit person to decide the
famous contest between Newton and Leibnitz, concerning
the invention of Fluxions.
July 1777, an action was brought on one of these before lord Mansfield. The plaintiff was one Hayes, a surgeon, and the defendant Jaques a broker, for the recovery
About the year 1771, certain doubts respecting his sex, which had previously been started at Petersburgh, became the topic of conversation, and, as usual in this country, the subject of betting; and gambling policies ef assurance to a large amount were effected on his sex; and in 1775, more policies on the same question were effected. In July 1777, an action was brought on one of these before lord Mansfield. The plaintiff was one Hayes, a surgeon, and the defendant Jaques a broker, for the recovery of 700l.; Jacques having some time before received premiums of fifteen guineas per cent, for every one of which he stood engaged to return an hundred, whenever it should be proved that the chevalier was a woman. Two persons, Louis Le Goux, a surgeon, and de Morande, the editor of a French newspaper, positively swore that D'Eon was a woman. The defendant’s counsel pleaded that the plaintiff, at the time of laying the wager, was privy to the fact, and thence inferred that the wager was unfair. Lord Mansfield, however, held that the wager was fair, but expressed his abhorrence of the whole transaction. No attempt having been made to contradict the evidence of the chevalier’s being a woman, which is now known to be false, Hayes obtained a verdict with costs. But the matter was afterwards solemnly argued before lord Mansfield in the court of King’s-bench, and the defendant pleading a late act of parliament for non-payment, it was admitted to be binding, by which decision all the insurers in this shameful transaction were deprived of their expected gains. In the mean time, the chevalier, who was now universally regarded as a woman, was accused by his enemies as having been an accomplice in these gambling transactions, and a partaker of the plunder. In consequence of repeated attacks of this nature he left England in August 1777, having previously asserted in a newspaper his innocence of the fraud, and referred to a former notice, inserted by him in the papers in 1775, in which he had cautioned all persons concerned not to pay any sums due on the policies which had been effected on the subject of his sex, and declared that he would controvert the evidence exhibited on the above trial, if his master should give him leave to return to England. It is in vain now to inquire why he should delay for a moment disproving what a moment would have been sufficient to disprove.
inoculator for the small pox, was the son of John Dimsdale of Theydon Gernon, near Epping in Essex, a surgeon and apothecary, by Susan, daughter of Thomas Bowyer
, a celebrated inoculator for the small pox, was the son of John Dimsdale of Theydon Gernon, near Epping in Essex, a surgeon and apothecary, by Susan, daughter of Thomas Bowyer of Alburyhall, in the parish of Albury, near Hertford. He was born in 1712, and received his first medical knowledge from his father, and at St. Thomas’s hospital. He commenced practice at Hertford about 1734, where he married the only daughter of Nathaniel Brassey, esq. of Roxford, an eminent banker in London. This lady died in 1744, leaving no children and to relieve his mind under this loss, Mr. Dimsdale joined the medical staff of the duke of Cumberland’s army, then on its way to suppress the rebellion in Scotland. In this situation he remained until the surrender of Carlisle to the king’s forces, when he received the duke’s thanks, and returned to Hertford. In 1746 he married Anne lies, a relation of his first wife, and by her fortune, and that which he acquired by the death of the widow of sir John Dimsdale of Hertford, he was enabled to retire from practice; but his family becoming numerous, he resumed it, and took the degree of M. D. in 1761.
tapestry, on which is placed a gilt lamp, and some pieces of still life. In the second apartment is a surgeon’s shop, with a countryman undergoing an operation, and
Douw appears, incontestably, to be the most wonderful in his finishing of all the Flemish masters. Every thing that came from his pencil is precious, and his colouring hath exactly the true and the lovely tints of nature; nor do his colours appear tortured, nor is their vigour lessened by his patient pencil; for, whatever pains he may have taken, there is no look of labour or stiffness; and his pictures are remarkable, not only for retaining their original lustre, but for having the same beautiful effect at a proper distance, as they have when brought to the nearest view. The most capital picture of this master in Holland was, not very long since, in the possession of the widow Van Hoek, at Amsterdam; it was of a size larger than usual, being three feet high, by two feet six inches broad, within the frame. In it two rooms are represented; in the first (where there appears a curious piece of tapestry, as a separation of the apartments) there is a pretty figure of a woman giving suck to a child; at her side is a cradle, and a table covered with tapestry, on which is placed a gilt lamp, and some pieces of still life. In the second apartment is a surgeon’s shop, with a countryman undergoing an operation, and a woman standing by him with several utensils. The folding-doors show on one side a study, and a man making a pen by candle-light, and on the other side, a school with boys writing and sitting at different tables. At Turin are several pictures by Gerhard Douw, wonderfully beautiful; especially one, of a doctor attending a sick woman, and surveying an urinal. The execution of that painting is astonishingly fine; and although the shadows appear a little too dark, the whole has an inexpressible effect. In the gallery at Florence, there is a nightpiece by candle-light, which is exquisitely finished; and in the same apartment, a mountebank attended by a number of figures, which, says Pilkington, it seems impossible either sufficiently to commend, or to describe. Sir Joshua Reynolds, however, has contrived to describe it without much commendation, as a picture that is very highly finished, but has nothing interesting in it. The heads have no character, nor are any circumstances of humour introduced. The only incident is a very dirty one, which every observer must wish had been omitted; that of a woman clouting a child. The rest of the figures are standing round, without invention or novelty of any kind. After other objections to this picture, sir Joshua observes that the single figure of the woman holding a hare, in Mr. Hope’s collection, is worth more than this large picture, in which perhaps there is ten times the quantity of work. Gerhard Douw died very opulent in 1674.
, a surgeon at York, and an eminent antiquary, was much esteemed
, a surgeon at York, and an eminent
antiquary, was much esteemed by Dr. Mead, Mr. Folkes,
the two Mr. Gales, and all the principal members of the
Royal and Antiquarian Societies. He published, in 1736,
“Eboracum or the History and Antiquities of the City of
York,
” a splendid folio. A copy of it with large manuscript additions was in the hands of his son, the late rev.
William Drake, vicar of Isleworth, who died in 1801, and
was himself an able antiquary, as appears by his articles in
the Archseologia, and would have republisbed his father’s
work, if the plates could have been recovered. Mr. Drake
was elected F. S. A. in 1735, and F. R. S. in 1736. From
this latter society, for whatever reason, he withdrew in
1769, and died the following year. Mr. Cole, who has
a few memorandums concerning him, informs us that when
the oaths to government were tendered to him in 1745, he
refused to take them. He describes him as a middle-aged
man (in 1749) tall and thin, a surgeon of good skill, but
whose pursuits as an antiquary had made him negligent of
his profession. Mr. Cole also says, that Mr. Drake and
Csesar Ward, the printer at York, were the authors of the
“Parliamentary or Constitutional History of England,
”
printed in twenty-four volumes,
He was suddenly taken ill in the night, June 2!, 1785. A suffocation was rapidly coming on; but a surgeon being called, he was almost instantly relieved by bleeding
He was suddenly taken ill in the night, June 2!, 1785. A suffocation was rapidly coming on; but a surgeon being called, he was almost instantly relieved by bleeding a good sleep ensued, but he waked in the morning almost speechless; a paralytic stroke on the organs of articulation only, seemed to have taken place; medical assistance was applied; he partly recovered articulation; but great debility was perceivable, and he could no longer write as usual: however, by slow degrees he regained strength, beyond the expectation of iiis distressed friends; and appeared after the summer passed at Herne, to be quite restored to health and spirits, and pursued every avocation as before the stroke, and with the same power of mind; but those who were most constantly with him, and watched with the tender eye of affection, never lost the alarm, never rested without apprehension, and perceived, by some suaden starts, and nervous complaints, that all was not sound within. In January following he coughed much, two or three days, but without any dangerous symptom, till, on the night of the 18th, a suffocation as before came on; assistance was immediately procured, but not with the former success; the disorder increased, and loss of life ensued. His gentle spirit, as he had lived, departed, easy to himself in his exit; distressful alone to all that knew him, to those most who knew him best. His family, his friends, the servants, and the poor, all by their affliction spoke his real worth. He left one daughter. His temper never changed by any deprivation of the world’s enjoyments, nor by any bodily suffering; no peevishness, no complaints escaped; though it is observed that a great alteration often attends such disorders, and warps the temper naturally good. But he silently used his piety to the laudable purpose of regulating not only his actions, but his words; yet this was discovered rather from observation than from his own profession, as he was remarkably modest and humble on religious topics; and, for fear of ostentation on that subject, might rather err on the opposite side, from an awful timidity, which might not always give a just idea of his unaffected zeal and real faith. His friendship, where professed, was ardent; and he had a spirit in a friend’s cause that rarely appeared on other occasions. He was amiable, affectionate, and tender, as a husband and father; kind and indulgent as a master; and a protector and advocate of the poor; benevolent to all, as far as his fortune could afford.
, -an Italian physician, was born at Ferrara in 1655. His father was a surgeon of much reputation, and recommended the medical profession
, -an Italian physician, was born at Ferrara in 1655. His father was a
surgeon of much reputation, and recommended the medical profession to this son, who after the usual course of
studies, took his degree of doctor at Ferrara, where he
became afterwards first professor of medicine. He died
May 5, 1723, after having published various dissertations
on medical subjects and cases, which were collected in a
quarto volume, and published at Ferrara in 1712 under the
title “Dissertationes Physico-medicae.
” Haller speaks
rather slightingly of this author’s works.
This excuse not being admitted, he pretended, in the next place, to be sick, and sent to the prince a surgeon, who was accustomed to speak familiarly to him, and
While he was thus employed, he was sent for to court, in order to try whether he could cure a lady, whose recovery was despaired of; and having succeeded, this was the first cause of that esteem which Henry II. who was then, dauphin, and was in love with that lady, conceived for him. This prince offered him even then the place of first physician to him; but Fernel, who infinitely preferred his studies to the hurry of a court, would not accept the employment, and had even recourse to artifice, in order to, obtain the liberty of returning to Paris. He represented first, that he was not learned enough to deserve to be entrusted with the health of the princes; but that, if he were permitted to return to Paris, he would zealously employ all means to become more learned, and more capable of serving the dauphin. This excuse not being admitted, he pretended, in the next place, to be sick, and sent to the prince a surgeon, who was accustomed to speak familiarly to him, and who told him, that Fernel had a pleurisy, which grief would certainly render mortal; and that his grief was occasioned by being absent from his books and from his family, and by being obliged to discontinue his lectures, and lead a tumultuous life. The prince, giving credit to this story, permitted Fernel to retire. A man, Bayle observes, must be excessively in love with his studies, and a philosophical life, when he employs such tricks to avoid what all others are desirous to obtain.
n, M. D. F. R. S. many years a physician in South Carolina, and in this city, but then apprentice to a surgeon and apothecary in Aberdeen, he used to attribute the
, another eminent physician, nephew to the preceding, was born in Aberdeen, November
18, 1736, and was the only and posthumous child of Mr.
George Fordyce, the proprietor of a small landed estate,
called Broadford, in the neighbourhood of that city. His
mother, not long after, marrying again, he was taken from
her when about two years old, and sent to Fovran, at which
place he received his school-education. He was removed
thence to the university of Aberdeen, where, it is said, he
was made M. A. when only fourteen years of age, but this
we much doubt. In his childhood he had taken great
delight in looking at phials of coloured liquors, which were
placed at the windows of an apothecary’s shop. To this
circumstance, and to his acquaintance with the late learned
Alexander Garden, M. D. F. R. S. many years a physician
in South Carolina, and in this city, but then apprentice to
a surgeon and apothecary in Aberdeen, he used to attribute the resolution he very early formed to study medicine.
He was in consequence sent, when about fifteen years old,
to his uncle, Dr. John Fordyce, who at that time practised
medicine at Uppingham, in Northamptonshire. With him
he remained several years, and then went to the university of Edinburgh, where, after a residence of about
three years, he received the degree of M. D. in October
1758. His inaugural dissertation was upon catarrh. While
at Edinburgh, Dr. Cullen was so much pleased with his
diligence and ingenuity, that, besides shewing him manyother marks of regard, he used frequently to give him private assistance in his studies. The pupil was ever after
grateful for this kindness, and was accustomed to speak
of his preceptor in terms of the highest respect, calling
him often “his learned and revered master.
” About the
end of 1758 he came to London, but went shortly after to
Leyden, for the purpose, chiefly, of studying anatomy
under Albinus. He returned in 1759 to London, where
he soou determined to fix himself as a teacher and practitioner of medicine. When he made known this intention to his relations, they highly disapproved of it, as
the whole of his patrimony had been expended upon his
education. Inspired, however, with that confidence which
frequently attends the conscious possession of great talents,
he persisted in his purpose, and, before the end of 1759,
commenced a course of lectures upon chemistry. This
was attended by nine pupils. In 1764 he began to lecture also upon materia medica and the practice of physic.
These three subjects he continued to teach nearly thirty
years, giving, for the most part, three courses of lectures
on each of them every year. A course lasted nearly four
months; and, during it, a lecture of nearly an hour was
delivered six times in the week. His time of teaching
commenced about 7 o'clock in the morning, and ended at
10; his lectures upon the three above-mentioned subjects
being given one immediately after the other. In 1765 he
was admitted a licentiate of the college of physicians. In
1770 he was chosen physician to St. Thomas’s hospital,
after a considerable contest; the number of votes in his
favour being 109, in that of his antagonist, Dr. Watson,
106. In 1774 he became a member of Dr. Johnson’s, or
the literary club and in 1776 was elected a fellow of the
royal society. In 1787 he was admitted a fellow of the
college of physicians. No circumstance can demonstrate
more strongly the high opinion entertained of his abilities
by the rest of his profession in London, than his reception
into that body. He had been particularly active in the
dispute, which had existed about twenty years before,
between the fellows and licentiates, and had, for this reason, it was thought, forfeited all title to be admitted into
the fellowship through favour. But the college, in 1787,
were preparing a new edition of their Pharmacopoeia; and
Knowing his talents in the branch of pharmaceutical chemistry, suppressed their resentment of his former conduct,
and, by admitting him into their body, secured his assistance in the work. In 1793 he assisted in forming a small
society of physicians and surgeons, which has since published two volumes, under the title of “Medical and Chirurgical Transactions;
” and continued to attend its meetings most punctually till within a month or two of his death.
Having thus mentioned some of the principal events of
his literary life, we shall next give a list of his various
medical and philosophical works; and first of those which
were published by himself, 1. “Elements of Agriculture
and Vegetation.
” He had given a course of lectures on
these subjects to some young men of rank; soon after, the
close of which, one of his hearers, the late Mr. Stuart
Mackenzie, presented him with a copy of them, from
uotes he had taken while they were delivered. Dr. Fordyce corrected the copy, and afterwards published it under
the above-mentioned title. 2. “Elements of the Practice
of Physick.
” This was used by him as a text-book for a
part of his course of lectures on that subject. 3. “A Treatise on the Digestion of Food.
” It was originally read
before the college of physicians, as the Gulstonian lecture. 4. “Four Dissertations on Fever.
” A fifth, which
completes the subject, was left by him in manuscript, and
has since been published. His other works appeared in
the Philosophical Transactions, and the Medical and Chirurgical Transactions. In the former are eight papers by
him, with the following titles: 1. Of the light produced
by inflammation. 2. Examination of various ores in the
museum of Dr. W. Hunter. 3. A new method of assaying
copper ores. 4. An account of some experiments on the
loss of weight in bodies on being melted or heated. 5. An
account of an experiment on heat. 6. The Cronian lecture on muscular motion. 7. On the cause of the additional weight which metals acquire on being calcined, &c.
Account of a new pendulum, being the Bakerian lecture.
His papers in the Medical and Chirurgical Transactions
are, 1. Observations on the small-pox, and causes of fever.
2. An attempt to improve the evidence of medicine. 3.
Some observations upon the composition of medicines.
He was, besides, the inventor of the experiments in heated
rooms, an account of which was given to the royal society
by the present sir Charles Blagden; and was the author
of many improvements in various arts connected with chemistry, on which he used frequently to be consulted by
manufacturers. Though he had projected various literary
works in addition to those which have been mentioned,
nothing has been left by him in manuscript, except the
dissertation on fever already spoken of; and two introductory lectures, one to his course of materia medica, the
other to that of the practice of physic. This will not apear extraordinary to those who knew what confidence he
ad in the accuracy of his memory. He gave all his lectures without notes, and perhaps never possessed any; he
took no memorandum in writing of the engagements he
formed, whether of business or pleasure, and was always
most punctual in observing them; and when he composed
his works for the publick, even such as describe successions of events found together, as far as we can perceive,
by no necessary tie, his materials, such at least as were
his own, were altogether drawn from stores in his memory,
which had often been laid up there many years before. In
consequence of this retentiveness of memory, and of great
reading and a most inventive mind, he was, perhaps, more
generally skilled in the sciences, which are either directly
subservient to medicine, or remotely connected with it,
than any other person of his time. One fault, however,
in his character as an author, probably arose, either wholly
or in part, from the very excellence which has been mentioned. This was his deficiency in the art of literary composition; the knowledge of which he might have insensibly acquired to a much greater degree than was possessed by him, had he felt the necessity in his youth of
frequently committing his thoughts to writing, for the
purpose of preserving them. But, whether this be just or
not, it must be confessed, that notwithstanding his great
learning, which embraced many subjects no way allied
to medicine, he seldom wrote elegantly, often obscurely
and inaccurately; and that he frequently erred with respect
even to orthography. His language, however, in conversation, which confirms the preceding conjecture, was not
less correct than that of most other persons of good education. As a lecturer, his delivery was slow and hesitating,
and frequently interrupted by pauses not required by his
subject. Sometimes, indeed, these continued so long,
that persons unaccustomed to his manner, were apt to fear
that he was embarrassed. But these disadvantages did not
prevent his having a considerable number of pupils, actuated by the expectation of receiving from him more full
and accurate instruction than they could elsewhere obtain. His person is said to have been handsome in his
youth; but his countenance, from its fulness, must have
been always inexpressive of the great powers of his mind.
His manners too, were less refined, and his dress in general less studied, than is usually regarded as becoming
the physician in this country. From these causes, and
from his spending a short time with his patients, although
sufficient to enable him to form a just opinion of their disorders, he had for many years but little private employment in his profession; and never, even in the latter part
of his life, when his reputation was at its height, enjoyed
nearly so much as many of his contemporaries. This may
have partly resulted too, from his fondness for the pleasures
of society, to which he often sacrificed the hours that
should have been dedicated to sleep; he has frequently
indeed, been known in his younger days, to lecture for
three hours in a morning, without having undressed himself the preceding night. The vigour of his constitution
enabled him to sustain for a considerable time, without
apparent injury, this debilitating mode of life; but at length
he was attacked with the gout, which afterwards became
irregular, and for many years frequently affected him with
excruciating pains in his stomach and bowels; in the latter
part of his life, also, his feet and ankles were almost constantly swollen, and a little time before his death he had
symptoms of water in the chest. To the first mentioned
disease (gout), he uniformly attributed his situation, which,
for several weeks previous to his dissolution, he knew to
be hopeless. This event took place at his house in Essex-street, May 25, 1802.
, professor of the Arabic and Chinese languages at Paris, was the son of a surgeon, and born at Herbelai, near Paris, in 1683. He learned
, professor of the Arabic and Chinese languages at Paris, was the son of a surgeon, and born at Herbelai, near Paris, in 1683. He learned the elements of Latin from the curate of the place; but losing his father when very young, he came under the care of an uncle, who removed him to his house at Paris, and superintended his studies. He went through the courses of logic, rhetoric, and philosophy, in different colleges; and happening to meet with the abbé Sevin, who loved study as well as himself, they formed a scheme of reading all the Greek and Latin poets together. But as the exercises of the society employed most of their hours by day, they found means to continue this task secretly by night; and this being considered as a breach of discipline, the superior thought tit to exclude them from the community. Fourmont retired to the college of Montaigu, and had the very chambers which formerly belonged to Erasmus; and here the abbé Sevin continued to visit him, when they went on with their work without interruption. Fourmont joined to this pursuit the study of the oriental languages, in which he made a very uncommon progress.
n his infancy; one, that his lips adhered so closely to each other when he came into the world, that a surgeon was obliged to divide them with his knife; the other,
an eminent Italian poet and physician, was born at Verona in 1483. Two singularities are related of him in his infancy; one, that his lips adhered so closely to each other when he came into the world, that a surgeon was obliged to divide them with his knife; the other, that his mother, Camilla Mascarellia, was killed by lightning, while he, though in her arms at the very moment, escaped unhurt. Fracastorio was of parts so exquisite, and made so wonderful a progress in every thing he undertook, that he became eminently skilled, not only in the belles lettres, but in all arts and sciences. He was a poet, a philosopher, a physician, an astronomer, and a mathematician. He was a man also of great political consequence, as appears from pope Paul Ill.'s making use of his authority to remove the council of Trent to Bologna, under the pretext of a contagious distemper, which, as Fracastorio deposed, made it no longer safe for him to continue at Trent. He was intimately acquainted with cardinal Bembo, Julius Scaliger, and all the great men of his time. He died of an apoplexy, at Casi near Verona, in 1553; and in 1559 the town of Verona erected a statue in honour of him.
conjunction with his physiological inquiries, the duties of his professorship, and his employment as a surgeon and accoucheur, in which practice he was very eminent,
In conjunction with his physiological inquiries, the duties of his professorship, and his employment as a surgeon and accoucheur, in which practice he was very eminent, gave full occupation to the industry of Galvani. Besides a number of curious observations on the urinary organs, and on the organ of hearing in birds, which were published in the Memoirs of the Institute of Bologna, he drew up various memoirs on professional topics, which have remained inedited. He regularly held learned conversations with a few literary friends, in which new works were read and commented upon. He was a man of most amiable character in private life, and possessed of great sensibility, insomuch that the death of his wife, in 1790, threw him into a profound melancholy* His early impressions on the subject of religion remained unimpaired, and he was always punctual in practising its minutest rites. During the troubles in Italy he had espoused the side of the old established government, and was stript of all his offices, because he refused to take the oaths of allegiance to the new Cisalpine republic; and most of his relations perished by sudden or violent deaths, many of them in defence of their country. In a state of melancholy and poverty he retired to the house of his brother James, a man of very respectable character, and fell into an extreme debility. The republican governors, probably ashamed of their conduct towards such a man, passed a decree for his restoration to his professional chair and its emoluments: but it was now too late. He expired Dec. 5, 1798.
e tuition of Mr. Dawson, at Sedbergh, in Yorkshire, a celebrated mathematician, who was at that time a surgeon and apothecary, Here he laid the foundation of his medical
, an ingenious English physician, was
born at Caste rton, near Kivkby Lonsda'le, Westmoreland,
April 21, 1766. About the age of fourteen, after having received the first rudiments of education at his native village,
he was placed as an apprentice under the tuition of Mr.
Dawson, at Sedbergh, in Yorkshire, a celebrated mathematician, who was at that time a surgeon and apothecary,
Here he laid the foundation of his medical and philosophical knowledge. After this he proceeded to Edinburgh,
and took his degree about 1758. During his residence
there, he became the pupil of Dr. Brown, whose new system of medicine Dr. Garnet, from this time, held in the
highest estimation. Soon after he visited London, and attended the practice of the hospitals. He had now arrived
at an age which made it necessary for him to think of some
permanent establishment. With this view he left London,
and settled at Bradford in Yorkshire, where he gave private lectures on philosophy and chemistry, and wrote a
treatise on the Horley Green Spa. In 179J he removed to
Knaresborough, and in summer to Harrogate, and was
soon engaged in an extensive practice. As this, however,
was necessarily limited to the length of the season, which
lasted only three or four months, Dr. G. soon after his
marriage, which took place in 1795, formed the design of
emigrating to America. At Liverpool, where he was waiting to embark, he was strongly solicited to give a chemical
course of lectures, which met with a most welcome reception, as did also another course on experimental philosophy. He then received a pressing invitation from Manchester, where he delivered the same lectures with equal
success. These circumstances happily operated to prevent his departure to America, and he became a successful candidate for the vacant professorship of Anderson’s
institution at Glasgow, in 1796. In Scotland, his leisure
hours were employed in collecting materials for his “Tour
through the Highlands;
” which work was in some degree
impeded by the sudden death of his wife in child-birth; an
event which so strongly affected his feelings, that he never
thought of it but with agony. Dr. G. was induced to relinquish the institution at Glasgow, by favourable offers
from the new Royal Institution in London, where, for one
season, he was professor of natural philosophy and che-p
mistry, and delivered the whole of the lectures. On
retiring from this situation, which was far too laborious
for the state of his health, at the close of 1801, he devoted
himself to his professional practice, and took a house in
Great Marlborough-street, where he built a new and convenient apartment, completed an expensive apparatus, and
during the winter of 1801 and 1802, he gave regular
courses on experimental philosophy and chemistry, and
a new course on “Zoonomia,
” or, “the Laws of
Animal Life, arranged according to the Brunonian theory.
”
These were interrupted in February, for some weeks, by
a dangerous illness, which left him in a languid state;
though he not only resumed and finished the lectures he
had begun, but also commenced two courses on botany,
one at his own house, and the other at Brompton. In the
midst of these, he received, by infection, from a patient
whom he had attended, the fever which terminated his life,
June 28, 1802. His “Zoonomia
” was afterwards published for the benefit of his family. “Thus,
” says his biographer, “was lost to society a man, the ornament of his
country, and the general friend of humanity. In his personal attachments, he was warm and zealous. In his religion he was sincere, yet liberal to the professors of contrary doctrines. In his political principles he saw no end,
but the general good of mankind; and, conscious of the
infirmity of human judgment, he never failed to make allowances for error. As a philosopher and a man of science,
he was candid, ingenuous, and open to conviction; he
never dealt in mystery, or pretended to any secret in art;
he was always ready in explanation, and desirous of assisting every person willing to acquire knowledge.
” Besides
his “Tour in Scotland,
” and the other works mentioned
before. Dr. Garnet contributed many papers to the Memoirs of the Medical Society of London, the Royal Irish
Academy, and other scientific societies.
of Kircudbright, and received his early education at home. At the age of fourteen he was placed with a surgeon-apothecary in Edinburgh, where he attended the medical
, an eminent physician, and very amiable man, was born at Kircudbright, the principal town of the county of that name in Scotland, Oct 28, 1732. He was the son of the rev. George Garthshore, the minister of Kircudbright, and received his early education at home. At the age of fourteen he was placed with a surgeon-apothecary in Edinburgh, where he attended the medical classes of the university, and the infirmary. In his twenty-second year, when he had finished his medical studies, he entered the army, as mate to surgeon Huck (afterwards Dr. Huck Sauntiers) in lord Charles Hay’s regiment. In 1756 he had an opportunity of relinquishing this service for the more advantageous situation of succeeding to the practice of Dr. John Fordyce, a physician at Uppingham, in Rutlandshire, who was about to remove to London. In this place, Dr. Garthshore resided until 1763, giving much satisfaction by his activity, assiduity, and successful practice in physic and midwifery, in a very extensive range of country. Here also he formed some valuable connections, and in 1759 married a young lady heiress to a small estate. This last advantage encouraged him to remove to London in 1763, and after a short residence in Bed ford -street, Coventgarden, he settled in a house in St. Martin’s lane, where he continued nearly fifty years. His professional views in coming to London were amply gratified; but here he was soon assailed by a heavy domestic affliction, the loss of his wife, which took place the 8th of March, 1765. From this calamity Dr. G. sought relief in the practice of his public duties. His natural susceptibility, the instruction of his father, the correspondence of Mr. Maitland, an early friend and patron, had deeply impressed him with devotion to his Maker, and taught him to consider it as inseparable from good-will and beneficence to men. Volumes of his Diary, kept for the whole of his life in London, and amounting to many thousands of close-written pages, in contractions very difficult to decypher, consist of medical, miscellaneous, and eminently pious remarks, meditations, and daily ejaculations of praise and thanksgiving, with fervent prayers to be kept steady in that course of well-doing essential to happiness in the present life and in that which is to come. The tone and temper, elevation and energy, acquired by this sublime heavenly intercourse, appeared indispensable to this good man, not only as the consolation of sorrow, and the disposer to patience and resignation under the ills of life, but as the spring and principle of unwearied perseverance in active virtue; the diligent, liberal, charitable exercise of the profession to which he was devoted. From this time forward he continued for nearly half a century cultivating medicine in all its branches, most attentive to every new improvement in themf, physician to the British lying-in hospital, fellow of the royal and antiquarian societies, rendering his house an asylum for the poor, as well as a centre of communication for the learned; for his connection with the higher orders of men never prevented his habitual attentions and services to the less fortunate: in general, to stand in need of his assistance was the surest recommendation to his partiality.
, a surgeon and famous herbalist of the time of queen Elizabeth,
, a surgeon and famous herbalist of
the time of queen Elizabeth, was born at Namptwich,
Cheshire, in 1545. He practised surgery in London, and
rose to eminence in that profession. Mr. Granger says,
“he was many years retained as chief gardener to lord
Burleigh, who was himself a great lover of plants, and had
the best collection of any nobleman in the kingdom; among
these were many exotics, introduced by Gerarde.
” This
is conh'rmed by the dedication of the first edition of his
Herbal, in 1597, to that illustrious nobleman, in which he
says he had “that way employed his principal study, and
almost all his time,
” then for twenty years. It appears
therefore that he had given up his original profession.
Johnson, the editor of his second edition, says, “he lived
some ten years after the publishing of this work, and died
about 1607;
” so that he survived his noble patron nine
years.
, a German physician, was born in 1595, at Cologne, where his father was a surgeon. His first application to letters was at Bremen; whence
, a German physician, was
born in 1595, at Cologne, where his father was a surgeon.
His first application to letters was at Bremen; whence he
returned to Cologne, and devoted himself to philosophy,
physic, and chirurgery. He studied four years under
Peter Holtzem, who was the elector’s physician, and professor in this city; and he learned the practical part of
surgery from his father. To perfect himself in these
sciences, he went afterwards into Italy, and made some
stay at Padua; where he greatly benefited himself by attending the lectures of Jerome Fabricius ab Aquapendente,
Adrian Spigelius, and Sanctorins. He was here made
M. D. After having visited the principal towns of Italy,
he returned to his country in 1618, and settled at Bremen;
where he practised physic and surgery with so much success, that the archbishop of this place made him his physician in 1628. He was also made physician of the republic of Bremen. The time of his death is not precisely
known; some say 1640, but the dedication of his last work
is dated Oct. 8, 1652. He published at Bremen, “
Speculum Chirurgorum,
” in 1619, 8vo; reprinted in 1628, 4to;
“Methodus Medendse Paronychia?,
” in Tractatus
de Polypo Narium affectu gravissimo,
” in Gazophylacium Polypusium Fonticulorum & Setonum
Reseratum,
” in
, son of the above, was born at Dundee, in 1725, and brought up a surgeon, in which capacity he went several voyages to the West
, son of the above, was born at Dundee,
in 1725, and brought up a surgeon, in which capacity he
went several voyages to the West Indies, but not liking
his profession, he accepted the command of a merchant’s
ship belonging to London, and engaged in the trade to
the Brazils. Being a man of considerable abilities, he
published in 1 vtol. 4to, “A Decription of Teneriffe, with
the Manners and Customs of the Portuguese who are
settled there.
” In
, a Gascon poet, was born at Toulouse in 1579, where his father was a surgeon. He was educated for the law, but the muses charmed
, a Gascon poet, was born at Toulouse in 1579, where his father was a surgeon. He was educated for the law, but the muses charmed him from, that profession, and he devoted himself to their service. His verses and the wit of his conversation procured him easy access to the tables of the great, but he profited so little by their patronage, that he would have been left to starve in his old age, had not his fellow citizens bestowed a pension on him from the public funds, which he enjoyed until his death, Sept. 10, 1649. Such was his reputation, that they also placed his bust in the gallery of the townhall, among those of other illustrious men whom Toulouse had produced; and his works were long cited with delight and admiration. They were published in a single volume, and often printed at Toulouse; and at Amsterdam in 170O. His poem on the death of Henry IV. is one of his best, and one of the few that has borne a translation from the Gascon language.
h education as his native place afforded, went to Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed to Mr. Lawder, a surgeon, and had an opportunity of studying the various branches
, an English poet and physician, was born at Dunse, a small town in the southern part of Scotland, about 1723. His father, a native of Cumberland, and once a man of considerable property, had removed to Dunse, on the failure of some speculations in mining, and there filled a post in the excise. His son, after receiving such education as his native place afforded, went to Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed to Mr. Lawder, a surgeon, and had an opportunity of studying the various branches of medical science, which were then begun to be taught by the justly celebrated founders of the school of medicine in that city. Having qualified himself for such situations as are attainable by young men whose circumstances do not permit them to wait the slow returns of medical practice at home, he first served as surgeon to lieut.-general Pulteney’s regiment of foot, during the rebellion (of 1745) in Scotland, and afterwards went in the same capacity to Germany, where that regiment composed part of the army under the earl of Stair. With the reputation and interest which his skill and learning procured abroad, he came over to England at the peace of Aix-laChapelle, sold his commission, and entered upon practice as a physician in London.
1721, and educated at the high school there. He was afterwards apprenticed to Mr. William Edmonston, a surgeon and apothecary at Leith, and after continuing in that
, “a skilful physician, was born
at Edinburgh, Dec. 6, 1721, and educated at the high
school there. He was afterwards apprenticed to Mr. William Edmonston, a surgeon and apothecary at Leith, and
after continuing in that station three years, studied* medicine at the university of Edinburgh. In 1741, he went as
surgeon’s mate on board the Somerset, and for some time
had the care of the military hospital at Port Mahon. In
1744, he was appointed surgeon to the Wolf sloop of war.
The four following years were divided between his occupations at sea, and his attendance upon the lectures of
Drs. Hunter and Smellie in London. In 1748, he went
to Lynn in Norfolk, invited thither by his brother, a merchant in that town. He afterwards accepted an offer of
settling at Lynn; and in 1766, having received the degree
of M. D. from the university of St. Andrew’s, he succeeded
to the practice of Dr. Lidderdale, who died about that time.
In this situation he continued to the time of his death,
which happened Nov. 9, 1793. As he was of an inquisitive and industrious turn of mind, the time that could be
spared from his practice he employed in endeavouring to
make improvements in his profession, and of his success
several valuable monuments remain. He was a frequent,
correspondent of the royal societies of London and Edinburgh. In 1791, he published a
” Treatise on the Scrofula,“which has been well received. He invented a machine for reducing dislocated shoulders, and an apparatus
for keepiug the ends of fractured bones together, to prevent lameness and deformity from those accidents. In
1801, was published a posthumous work, entitled
” Observations on the marsh remittent fever; also on the water
canker, or cancer aquaticus of Van Swieten, with some remarks on the leprosy," 8vo. Prefixed to this volume is an
account of the author, from which we have extracted the
preceding sketch.
so famous for his dissections and anatomical preparations. In the following year he went to serve as a surgeon in the Dutch camp in Brabant; devoting the subsequent
, a celebrated physician, surgeon, anatomist, and botanist, was born at Frankfort on the Maine, in 1683. He was educated in several German universities, and in 1706 spent some time in the study of anatomy and surgery at Amsterdam under Ruysch, then so famous for his dissections and anatomical preparations. In the following year he went to serve as a surgeon in the Dutch camp in Brabant; devoting the subsequent winter to further improvement, under Boerhaave and his eminent colleagues, who at that time attracted students from all parts to the university of Leyden, where Heister took his degree. Returning afterwards to the camp, he was, in 1709, appointed physician -general to the Dutch military hospital. The experience he thus acquired, raised him to a distinguished rank in the theory and practice of surgery, especially as he had a genius for mechanics, and was by that means enabled to bring about great improvements in the instrumental branch of his art. In 1710 he became professor of anatomy and surgery at Altorf, in the little canton of Uri, and rendered himself celebrated by his lectures and writings. Ten years afterwards a more advantageous situation offered itself to him at Helmstad, where he became physician, with the title of Aulic counsellor, as usual, to the duke of Brunswick, as well as professor of medicine, and afterwards of surgery and botany, in that university. Here he continued till his death, which happened in 1758, at the age of seventy-five. The czar Peter invited him to Russia, but he was too comfortably situated in Germany, where the favour of several sovereigns already shone upon him at an early period, to accept the invitation.
r of a congregation in Berwick upon Tweed. Here, in 1763, he married the daughter of Mr. Balderston, a surgeon, and though he had no children, enjoyed to the end of
, author of a History of England on a new plan, which has been generally and highly approved, was the son of James Henry, a farmer, at Muirtown in the parish of St. Ninian’s, Scotland, and of Jean Galloway his wife, of Stirlingshire. He was born on Feb. 18, 1718; and, having early resolved to devote himself to a literary profession, was educated first under a Mr. John Nicholson, at the parish school of St. Ninian’s, and for some time at the grammar-school at Stirling. He completed his academical studies at the university of Edinburgh, and afterwards became master of the grammar-school of Annan. He was licensed to preach on the 27th of March, 1746, and was the first licentiate of the presbytery of Annan, after its erection into a separate presbytery. Soon after he received a call from a congregation oi presbyterian dissenters at Carlisle, where he was ordained in November 1748. In this station he remained twelve years, and, on the 13th of August, 1760, became pastor of a congregation in Berwick upon Tweed. Here, in 1763, he married the daughter of Mr. Balderston, a surgeon, and though he had no children, enjoyed to the end of his life a large share of domestic happiness. In 1768, he was removed from Berwick, to be one of the ministers of Edinburgh, and was minister of the church of the New Grey Friars, from that time till November 1776. He then became colleague-minister in the old church, and in that station remained till his death, which happened in November, 1790. The degree of doctor in divinity was conferred on him by the university of Edinburgh, in 1770; and in 1774, he was unanimously chosen moderator of the general assembly of the church of Scotland, and is the only person on record who obtained that distinction the first time he was a member of the assembly.
ool, was born in 1741, in a small town of Prussia, and was originally intended for the profession of a surgeon, but afterwards studied divinity, and was invited to
, a German philosopher of
the new school, was born in 1741, in a small town of Prussia, and was originally intended for the profession of a surgeon, but afterwards studied divinity, and was invited to
Buckeburg, to officiate as minister, and to be a member
of the consistory of the ecclesiastical council, In 1774 he
was promoted by the duke of Saxe Weimar, to be first
preacher to the court, and ecclesiastical counsellor, to
which was afterwards added the dignity of vice-president
cjf the consistory of Weimar, which he held until his death,
Pec. 18, 1803. Some of his ficst works gained him great^
praise, both as a critic antj philosopher; such as his, 1.
“Three fragments on the new German Literature,
” Riga,
On the Writings of Thomas Abbt,
” Berlin,
On the origin of Language,
” ibid. Oldest Notices of the Origin of Mankind,
”
Riga, Outlines of a philosophy
of the history of Man,
” of which an English translation
was published in
vember 14, 1739. He attended the grammar school of that town until he was apprenticed to his father, a surgeon and apothecary of reputation; after which he resided
, an eminent anatomist, was born
at Hexham, in Northumberland, November 14, 1739. He
attended the grammar school of that town until he was apprenticed to his father, a surgeon and apothecary of reputation; after which he resided some time with Mr. Lambert,
surgeon, at Newcastle. In 1759 he was sent to London,
and resided with that distinguished anatomist, Mr. John
Hunter, attending the lectures of his no less celebrated
brother, Dr. Wm. Hunter. Young Hewson’s assiduity and
skill having attracted the attention of the teachers, he was
appointed to superintend the dissecting room, while Mr.
Hunter went abroad with the army in 1760; and in 1762,
after studying a year at Edinburgh, he became associated
with Dr. Hunter, and occasionally delivered the anatomical
lectures; and when Dr. Hunter’s spacious establishment
was completed in Windmill-street, Mr. Hewson was allotted
an apartment in the house. Here he pursued his anatomical
investigations, and “his experimental inquiries into the
properties of the blood;
” an account of which he published
in 1771, and he communicated to the royal society several
papers containing an account of his discoveries of the lymphatic system in birds and fishes, for which he received
the Copleyan medal, and was soon after elected a fellow
of that body. In 1770, his connection with Dr. Hunter
was dissolved, and he began a course of anatomical lectures alone in September 1772, in Craven-street; and
published a second edition of his “Experimental Inquiry,
”
which he dedicated to sir John Pringle, as a testimony of
gratitude for the undeviating friendship of that illustrious
physician. In the spring of 1774, he published his work
On the “Lymphatic system.
” At this time his anatomical
theatre was crowded with pupils, his practice was daily increasing, and his ardour for experimental research undiminished, when he was seized with a fever, occasioned by
a wound received in dissecting a morbid body, which terminated fatally on the 1st of May 1774, in the thirty-fifth
year of his age. His papers, which were afterwards collected together, were originally published in the 23d, 24th,
25th, and 28th volumes of the Philosophical Transactions,
annis 1768 73.
portraits, contains that of St. Andre, then anatomist to the royal household, and in high credit as a surgeon.
In the year 1726, when the affair of Mary Tofts, the rabbit-breeder of Godalming, engaged the public attention, a few of the principal surgeons subscribed their guinea a-piece to Hogarth, for an engraving from a ludicrous sketch he had made on that very popular subject. This plate, amongst other portraits, contains that of St. Andre, then anatomist to the royal household, and in high credit as a surgeon.
rn to England, his father, finding him inflexible on this point, bound him apprentice to Mr. Forbes, a surgeon in the Park, Southwark, and upon the death of that gentleman
John Zephaniah Holwell was born at Dublin, Sept. 17, 1711, and at the age of eight was brought over to England, and placed at Mr. M'Kenzie’s grammar-school at Richmond in Surrey, where he distinguished himself in classical learning. After this, his father having determined to breed him up to mercantile life in Holland, sent him to an academy at Iselmond on the Meuse, where he learned the French and Dutch languages, and was instructed in bookkeeping. He was then placed in the counting-house of Lantwoord, a banker and ship’s-husband at Rotterdam, with a stipulation that he was to be admitted as a partner at the expiration of five years. The unceasing toil, however, of his new situation soon affected his health to a very alarming degree; and although he recovered by consulting the celebrated Boerhaave at Leyden, his inclination for trade was gone, and on his return to England, his father, finding him inflexible on this point, bound him apprentice to Mr. Forbes, a surgeon in the Park, Southwark, and upon the death of that gentleman he was placed under the care of Mr. Andrew Cooper, senior surgeon of Guy’s hospital.
, an able promoter of exotic botany in England, went first to the West Indies, in the character of a surgeon, and upon his return, after two years’ residence at
, an able promoter of exotic
botany in England, went first to the West Indies, in the
character of a surgeon, and upon his return, after two
years’ residence at Leyden, took his degrees in physic
under Boerhaave, in 1728 and 1729. At Leyden he instituted a set of experiments on brutes; some of which were
made in concert with the celebrated Van Swieten. They
were afterwards published in the Philosophical Transactions
under the title of “Experimenta de perforatione thoracis,
ejusque in respiratione affectibus,
” the result of which
proved, contrary to the common opinion, that animals
could live and breathe for some time, although air was
freely admitted into both cavities of the thorax. Soon
after his return from Holland, he was in 1732 elected a
fellow of the royal society, and went immediately to the
West Indies, where he fell a sacrifice to the heat of the
climate, July 14, 1733. He had previously sent over a
description and figure of the dorsteria contrayerva, which
were published in the Philosophical Transactions, vol.
XXXVII. This was the first authentic account received
of that drug, although known in England from the time of
sir Francis Drake, or earlier. He also sent to his friend
Mr. Miller, of Chelsea, the seeds of many rare and new
plants collected by him in the islands. His ms Catalogue
of plants also came into the hands of Mr. Miller, and after
his death into the possession of sir Joseph Banks, who,
out of respect to the memory of so deserving a man, gratified the botanists with the publication of them, under the
title of " Reliquiae Houstonianae, 1781, 4to.
having accepted Dr. Douglas’s invitation, was by his friendly assistance enabled to enter himself as a surgeon’s pupil at St. George’s hospital under Mr. James Wilkie,
Mr. Hunter, having accepted Dr. Douglas’s invitation,
was by his friendly assistance enabled to enter himself as a
surgeon’s pupil at St. George’s hospital under Mr. James
Wilkie, and as a dissecting pupil under Dr. Frank Nichols,
who at that time taught anatomy with considerable reputation. He likewise attended a course of lectures on experimental philosophy by Dr. Desaguliers. Of these means
of improvement he did not fail to make a proper use. He
soon became expert in dissection, and Dr. Douglas was at
the expence of having several of his preparations engraved.
But before many months had elapsed, he had the misfortune to lose this excellent friend. Dr. Douglas died April
1, 1742, in his 67th year, leaving a widow and two children. The death of Dr. Douglas, however, made no
change in his situation. He continued to reside with the
doctor’s family, and to pursue his studies with the same
diligence as before. In 1743 he communicated to the
royal society “An Essay on the Structure and Diseases of
articulating Cartilages.
” This ingenious paper, on a subject which till then had not been sufficiently investigated,
affords a striking testimony of the rapid progress he had
made in his anatomical inquiries. As he had it in contemplation to teach anatomy, his attention was directed principally to this object; and it deserves to be mentioned as
an additional mark of his prudence, that he did not precipitately engage in this attempt,but passed several years
in acquiring such a degree of knowledge, and such a collection of preparations, as might insure him success. After
waiting some time for a favourable opening, he succeeded
Mr. Samuel Sharpe as lecturer to a private society of surgeons in Covent-garden, began his lectures in their rooms,
and soon extended his plan from surgery to anatomy. This
undertaking commenced in the winter of 1746. He is said
to have experienced much solicitude when he began to
speak in public, but applause soon inspired him with courage; and by degrees he became so fond of teaching, that
for many years before his death he was never happier than
when employed in delivering a lecture.
as threatened with consumptive symptoms, and being advised to go abroad, obtained the appointment of a surgeon on the staff, and went with the army to Belleisle, leaving
By excessive attention to these pursuits, his health was so much impaired, that he was threatened with consumptive symptoms, and being advised to go abroad, obtained the appointment of a surgeon on the staff, and went with the army to Belleisle, leaving Mr. Hewson to assist his brother. He continued in this service till the close of the war in 1763, and thus acquired his knowledge of the nature and treatment of gun-shot wounds. On his return to London, to his emoluments from private practice, and his half-pay, he added those which arose from teaching practical anatomy and operative surgery; and that he might be more enabled to carry on his inquiries in comparative anatomy, he purchased some land at Earl’s-court, near Brompton, where he built a house. Here also he kept such animals alive as he purchased, or were presented to him; studied their habits and instincts, and cultivated an intimacy with them, which with the fiercer kinds was not always supported without personal risk. It is recorded by his biographer, that, on finding two leopards loose, and likely to escape or be killed, he went out, and seizing them with his own hands, carried them back to their den. The horror he felt afterwards at the danger he had run, would not, probably, have prevented him from making a similar effort, had a like occasion arisen.
m in buildings adapted to the objects of his pursuits. He was in 1785 at the height of his career as a surgeon, and performec 1 some operations with complete success,
Mr. Hunter in 1781 was elected into the royal society of
sciences and belles lettres at Gottenburg; and in 1783,
into the royal society of medicine, and the royal academy
of surgery at Paris. In the same year he removed from
Jermyn-street to a larger house in Leicester-square, and,
with more spirit than consideration, expended a very great
sum in buildings adapted to the objects of his pursuits.
He was in 1785 at the height of his career as a surgeon,
and performec 1 some operations with complete success,
which were thought by the profession to be beyond the
reach of any skill. His faculties were now in their fullest
vigour, and his body sufficiently so to keep pace with
the activity of his mind. He was engaged in a very
extensive practice, he was surgeon to St. George’s hospital, he gave a very long course of lectures in the
winter, had a school of practical anatomy in his house,
was continually engaged in experiments concerning the
animal osconomy, and was from time to time producing
very important publications. At the same time he instituted a medical society called “Lyceum Medicum
Londinense,
” which met at his lecture-rooms, and soon
rose to considerable reputation. On the death of Mr.
Middleton, surgeon-general, in 1786, Mr. Hunter obtained
the appointment of deputy surgeon-general to the army;
but in the spring of the year he had a violent attack of illness, which left him for the rest of his life subject to peculiar and violent spasmodic affections of the heart. In
July 1787, he was chosen a member of the American philosophical society. In 1790, finding that his lectures occupied too much of his time, he relinquished them to his
brother-in-law Mr. Home; and in this year, on the death
of Mr. Adair, he was appointed inspector-general of hospitals, and surgeon-general of the army. He was also
elected a member of the royal college of surgeons in
Ireland.
son’s passionate intreaties, they went off without doing him further mischief, or rifling the house. A surgeon wa immediately sent for, who found two wounds in his
Violence produces violence; and his enemies were so
much exasperated against him, that his life was frequently
endangered. After publishing his famous tract, entitled
“An Argument proving that the Abrogation of King
James,
” &c. which was levelled against all those who complied with the Revolution upon any other principles than
his own, in 1692, a remarkable attempt was actually made
upon him. Seven assassins broke into his house in Bondstreet, Nov. 27, very early in the morning; and five of
them, with a lantern, got into his chamber, where he, with
his wife and young son, were in bed. Mr. Johnson was
fast asleep but his wife, being awaked by their opening
the door, cried out, Thieves and endeavoured to awaken
her husband the villains in the mean time threw open the
curtains, three of them placed themselves on that side of
the bed where he lay, with drawn swords and clubs, and
two stood at the bed’s feet with pistols. Mr. Johnson
started up; and, endeavouring to defend himself from
their assaults, received a blow on the head, which knocked
him backwards. His wife cried out with great earnestness,
and begged them not to treat a sick man with such barbarity; upon which they paused a little, and one of the
miscreants called to Mr. Johnson to hold up his face, which
his wife begged him to do, thinking they only designed
to gag him, and that they would rifle the house and be
gone. Upon this he sat upright; when one of the rogues
cried, “Pistol him for the book he wrote
” which discovered their design for it was just after the publishing of
the book last mentioned. Whilst he sat upright in his bed,
one of them cut him with a sword over the eye-brow, and
the rest presented their pistols at him; but, upon Mrs.
Johnson’s passionate intreaties, they went off without doing
him further mischief, or rifling the house. A surgeon wa
immediately sent for, who found two wounds in his head,
and his body much bruised. With due care, however, he
recovered; and though his health was much impaired and
broken by this and other troubles, yet he handled his pen
with the same unbroken spirit as before. He died in May
1703.
In 1710 all his treatises were collected, and published
in one folio volume; to which were prefixed some memorials of his life. The second edition came out in 1713,
folio.
d advocate of the parliament of Paris, was born July 31, 1659, and was the son of James de Lauriere, a surgeon. He attended but little to the bar, his life being almost
, a celebrated lawyer,
and learned advocate of the parliament of Paris, was born
July 31, 1659, and was the son of James de Lauriere, a
surgeon. He attended but little to the bar, his life being
almost wholly spent in study, in the course of which he explored, with indefatigable pains, every part of the French
law, both ancient and modern, formed friendships with
men of learning, and was esteemed by all the most able
magistrates. He died at Paris, January 9, 1728, aged 69,
leaving many valuable works, some of which he wrote ill
conjunction with Claude Berroyer, another eminent advocate of Paris. The principal are, 1. “De l‘origine du Droit
d’Amortissement,
” Texte des Coutumes de la Prévôté et Vicomté de Paris, avec des Notes,
”
12mo; 3. “Bibltotheque des Coutumes,
” 4to 4. M.
Loisel’s “Instituts Coutumiers,
” with notes, Paris, Traite* des Institutions et des Substitutions contractuelles,
” 2 vols. 12mo.
6. The first and second volumes of the collection of “Ordinances
” of the French kings, which valuable and very
interesting work has been continued by M. Secousse, a
member of the academy of inscriptions and belles-lettres,
and M. de Villeraut, to 11 vols. fol. 7. “Le Glossaire
du Droit François,
”
ools; he embarked for Lisbon, and afterwards visited Italy. On his return, he established himself as a surgeon and accoucheur in the neighbourhood of Piccadilly; and
, an English physician and writer, was
the son of a clergyman who was curate of Ainstable in
Cumberland. He was educated partly at Croglin, and
partly at the grammar-school at Bishop Auckland. He
then went to London, intending to engage in the military
profession: but finding some promises, with which he had
been flattered, were not likely soon to be realized, he
turned his attention to medicine. After attending the hospitals, and being admitted a member of the corporation of
surgeons, an opportunity presented itself of improving
himself in foreign schools; he embarked for Lisbon, and
afterwards visited Italy. On his return, he established
himself as a surgeon and accoucheur in the neighbourhood
of Piccadilly; and about that time published “A Dissertation on the Properties and Efficacy of the Lisbon Dietdrink,
” which he professed to administer with success in
many desperate cases of scrophula, scurvy, &c. Where
he obtained his doctor’s diploma is not known; but he became ere long a licentiate of the College of Physicians,
and removed to Craven-street, where he began to lecture
on the obstetric art, and invited the faculty to attend. ID
1765 he purchased a piece of ground on a building lease,
and afterwards published the plan for the institution of the
Westminster Lying-in- Hospital and as soon as the building was raised, he voluntarily, and without any consideration, assigned over to the governors all his right in the
premises, in favour of the hospital. He enjoyed a considerable share of reputation and practice as an accoucheur,
anJ as a lecturer; and was esteemed a polite and accomplished man. He added nothing, however, in the way of
improvement, to his profession, and his writings are not
characterized by any extraordinary acuteness, or depth of
research; but are plain, correct, and practical. He was
attacked, in the summer of 1792, with a disorder of the
chest, with which he had been previously affected, and was
found dead in his bed on the 8th of August of that year.
He published, in 1773, a volume of “Practical Observations on Child-bed Fever;
” and, in A Lecture
introductory to the Theory and Practice of Midwifery, including the history, nature, and tendency of that science,
”
&c. This was afterwards considerably altered and enlarged, and published in two volumes, under the title of
“Medical Instructions towards the prevention and cure of
various Diseases incident to Women,
” &c. The work
passed through seven or eight editions, and was translated
into the French and German languages. In the beginning
of 1792, ^a short time before his death, he published “A
practical Essay on the Diseases of the Viscera, particularly
those of the Stomach and Bowels.
”
, a surgeon of the sixteenth century, was born in Scotland. In a
, a surgeon of the sixteenth century,
was born in Scotland. In a work entitled “A Discourse
on the whole Art of Chirurgery,
” published at Glasgow in
The Poor Man’s Guide,
” and speaks of an intended publication concerning the diseases of women. He died in
1612. The “Discourse on Chirurgery
” appears to have
been in esteem, as it reached a fourth edition in 1654,
but it is founded more on authority than observation.
Ames mentions another work of his with the title “An
easy, certain, and perfect method to cure and prevent the
Spanish Sickness; by Peter Lowe, doctor in the Facultie of
Chirurgerie at Paris, chirurgeon to Henry IV
” London,
1596, 4to.
first elements of his education at the public school of this place, and served his apprenticeship to a surgeon, he went into the navy, first in the capacity of mate
, a distinguished physician, was
born at Ballymony, co. Antrim, on the 26th of April,
1726. He was descended from an ancient family of his
name in the shire of Galloway, in Scotland; but his grandfather, who was bred to the church, was called to officiate
at Belfast to a congregation of Presbyterians, and his
father became the minister of Ballymony, where David
was born. Having received the first elements of his education at the public school of this place, and served his
apprenticeship to a surgeon, he went into the navy, first
in the capacity of mate to an hospital-ship, and subsequently in the rank of surgeon, in which station he remained for some years preceding the peace of Aix-laChapelle. At this period he was led from the frequent
opportunities of witnessing the attacks of scurvy which a
sea-faring life afforded him, to investigate the best method
of cure for that disease, upon which he afterwards published a treatise. After the peace of Aix, Mr. Macbride
went to Edinburgh and London, where he studied anatomy
under those celebrated teachers doctors Monro and Hunter,
and midwifery under Smellie. About the end of 1749, he
settled in Dublin as a surgeon and accoucheur; but his
youth and remarkable bashfulness occasioned him to remain a number of years in obscurity, little employed; although he was endeared to a small circle of friends by his
great abilities, amiable dispositions, and his general knowledge in all the branches of polite literature and the arts.
In 1764, he published his “Experimental Essays,
” which
were received with great applause, and were soon translated into different languages; and the singular merit of
this performance induced the university of Glasgow to
confer the degree of doctor of physic on its author. The
improvement introduced by Dr. Macbride in the art of
tanning, by substituting lime-water for common water in
preparing ooze, procured him the honour of a silver medal
from the Dublin Society, in 1768, and of a gold medal of
considerable value from the society of arts and commerce
in London.
families in the north of Scotland. He was born in London, in September 1697, where his father, then a surgeon in the army of king William in Flanders, resided upon
, an eminent anatomist, and the father of the medical school of Edinburgh, was descended both by his paternal and maternal parents from distinguished families in the north of Scotland. He was born in London, in September 1697, where his father, then a surgeon in the army of king William in Flanders, resided upon leave of absence in the winter. On quitting the army, Mr. Monro settled in Edinburgh; and perceiving early indications of talent in Alexander, he gave him the best instruction which Edinburgh then afforded, and afterwards sent him to London, where he attended the anatomical courses of Cheselden, and while here, laid the foundation of his most important work on the bones. He then pursued his studies at Paris and Leyden, where his industry and promising talents recommended him to the particular notice of Boerhaave. On iiis return to Edinburgh, in the autumn of 1719, he was appointed professor and demonstrator of anatomy to the company of surgeons, the joint demonstrators having spontaneously resigned in his favour, and soon after began also to give public lectures on anatomy, aided by the preparations which he had made when abroad; and at the same time Dr. Alston, then a young man, united with him in the plan, and began a course of lectures on the materia medica and botany. These courses may be regarded as the opening of that medical school, which has since extended its fame, not only throughout Europe, but over the new world. Mr. Monro suggested this plan; and by the following circumstance, probably, contributed to lead his son into a mode of lecturing, which subsequently carried him to excellence. Without the young teacher’s knowledge, he invited the president and fellows of the College of Physicians, and the whole company of surgeons, to honour the first day’s lecture with their presence. This unexpected company threw the doctor into such confusion, that he forgot the words of the discourse, which he had written and committed to memory. Having left his papers at home, he was at a loss for a little time what to do: but, with much presence of mind, he immediately began to shew some of the anatomical preparations, in order to gain time for recollection; and very soon resolved not to attempt to repeat the discourse which he had prepared, but to express himself in such language as should occur to him from the subject, which he was confident that he understood. The experiment succeeded: he delivered himself well, and gained great applause as a good and ready speaker. Thus discovering his own strength, he resolved henceforth never to recite any written discourse in teaching, and acquired a free and elegant style of delivering lectures.
er, now Dr. Gordon, who chose to prescribe as a physician alone, Mr. Moore still continued to act as a surgeon; and, as a partner appeared to be necessary, he chose
, a medical and miscellaneous writer,
was the son of the rev. Charles Moore, a minister of the
English church at Stirling, in Scotland, where this, his only
surviving son, was born in 1730. His lather dying in
1735, his mother, who was a native of Glasgow, and had
some property there, removed to that city, and carefully
superintended the early years of her son while at school
and college. Being destined for the profession of medicine, he was placed under Mr. Gordon, a practitioner of
pharmacy and surgery, and at the same time attended such
medical lectures as the college of Glasgow at that time
afforded, which were principally the anatomical lectures of
Dr. Hamilton, and those on the practice of physic by Dr.
Cullen, afterwards the great ornament of the medical
school of Edinburgh. Mr. Moore’s application to his studies must have been more than ordinarily successful, as we
find that in 1747, when only in his seventeenth year, he
went to the continent, under the protection of the duke of
Argyle, and was employed as a mate in one of the military
hospitals at Maestricht, in Brabant, and afterwards at
Flushing. Hence he was promoted to be assistant to the
surgeon of the Coldstream regiment of foot guards,
comman-ded by general Braddock, and after remaining during
the winter of 1748 with this regiment at Breda, came to
England at the conclusion of the peace. At London he
resumed his medical studies under Dr. Hunter, and soon
after set out for Paris, where he obtained the patronage of
the earl of Albemarle, whom he had known in Flanders,
and who was now English ambassador at the court of
France, and immediately appointed Mr. Moore surgeon to
his household. In this situation, although he had an opportunity of being with the ambassador, he preferred to
lodge nearer the hospitals, and other sources of instruction, xvith which a more distant part of the capital abounded,
and visited lord Albemarle’s family only when his assistance
was required. After residing two years in Paris, it was
proposed by Mr. Gordon, who was not insensible to the
assiduity and improvements of his former pupil, that he
should return to Glasgow, and enter into partnership with
him. Mr. Moore, by the advice of his friends, accepted
the invitation, but deemed it proper to take London in his
way, and while there, went through a course under Dr.
Smellie, then a celebrated accoucheur. On his return to
Glasgow, he practised there during the space of two years,
but when a diploma was granted by the university of that
city to his partner, now Dr. Gordon, who chose to prescribe as a physician alone, Mr. Moore still continued to act
as a surgeon; and, as a partner appeared to be necessary,
he chose Mr. Hamilton, professor of anatomy, as his associate. Mr. Moore remained for a considerable period at
Glasgow; but when he had attained his fortieth year, an
incident occurred that gave a new turn to his ideas, and
opeqed new pursuits and situations to a mind naturally
active and inquisitive. James George, duke of Hamilton,
a young nobleman of great promise, being affected with a
consumptive disorder, in 1769, he was attended by Mr.
Moore, who has always spoken of this youth in terms of
the highest admiration; but, as his malady baffled all the
efforts of medicine, he yielded to its pressure, after a lingering illness, in the fifteenth year of his age. This event,
which Mr. Moore recorded, together with the extraordinary
endowments of his patient, on his tomb in the buryingplace at Hamilton, led to a more intimate connection with
this noble family. The late duke of Hamilton, being, like
his brother, of a sickly constitution, his mother, the duchess
f Argyle, determined that he should travel in company
with some gentleman, who to a knowledge of medicine
added an acquaintance with the continent. Both these
qualities were united in the person of Dr. Moore, who by
this time had obtained the degree of M. D. from the university of Glasgow. They accordingly set out together,
and spent a period of no less than five years abroad,
during which they visited France, Italy, Switzerland, and
Germany. On their return, in 1778, Dr. Moore brought
his family from Glasgow to London; and in the course of
the next year appeared the fruits of his travels, in “A View
of Society and Manners in France', Switzerland, and Germany,
” in 2 vols. 8vo. Two years after, in 1781, he published a continuation of the same work, in two additional
volumes, entitled “A View of Society and Manners in
Italy.
” Having spent s6 large a portion of his time either
in Scotland or on the continent, he could not expect suddenly to attain an extensive practice in the capital; nor
indeed was he much consulted, unless by his particular
friends. With a view, however, to practice, he published
in 1785, his “Medical Sketches,
” a work which was favourably received, but made no great alteration in his engagements; and the next work he published was “Zeluco,
”
a novel, which abounds with many interesting events,
arising from uncontrouled passion on the part of a darling
son, and unconditional compliance on that of a fond mother. While enjoying the success of this novel, which was
very considerable, the French revolution began to occupy
the minds and writings of the literary world. Dr. Moore
happened to reside in France in 1792, and witnessed many
of the important scenes of that eventful year, but the massacres of September tending to render a residence in Paris
highly disagreeable, he returned to England; and soon
after his arrival, began to arrange his materials, and in
1795, published “A View of the Causes and Progress of
the French Revolution,
” in 2 vols. 8vo, dedicated to the
Duke of Devonshire. He begins with the reign of Henry
IV. and ends with the execution of the royal family. In
1796 appeared another novel, “Edward: various Views of
Human Nature, taken from Life and Manners chiefly in
England.
” In Mordaunt,
” being “Sketches of Life, Characters, and Manners
in various Countries including the Memoirs of a French
Lady of Quality,
” in 2 vols. 8vo. This chiefly consists of
a series of letters, written by “the honourable John
Mordaunt,
” while confined to his couch at Vevay, in Switzerland, giving an account of what he had seen in Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, &c. The work itself comes under no precise head, being neither a romance, nor a novel,
nor travels: the most proper title would perhaps be that
of “Recollections.
” Dr. Moore was one of the first to
notice the talents of his countryman the unfortunate Robert Burns, who, at his request, drew up an account of
his life, and submitted it to his inspection.
lord about this time came up, and, perceiving the state of sir John’s wound, instantly rode off for a surgeon. The blood flowed fast, but the attempt to stop it with
The fall of general Moore is thus described by captain
Hardinge: “1 had been ordered by the commander-inchief to desire a battalion* of the guards to advance; which
battalion was at one time intended to have dislodged a
corps of the enemy from a large house and garden on the
opposite side of the valley; and I was pointing out to the
general the situation of the battalion, and our horses were
touching, at the moment that a cannon-shot from the
enemy’s battery carried away his left shoulder, and part
of the collar-bone, leaving the arm hanging by the flesh.
The violence of the stroke threw him off his horse on his
back. Not a muscle of his face altered, nor did a sigh
betray the least sensation of pain. I dismounted, and,
taking his hand, he pressed mine forcibly, casting his eyes
very anxiously towards the 42d regiment, which was hotly
engaged; and his countenance expressed satisfaction when
I informed him that the regiment was advancing. Assisted
by a soldier of the 42d, he was removed a few yards behind
the shelter of a wall. Colonel Graham Balgowan and captain Wood lord about this time came up, and, perceiving
the state of sir John’s wound, instantly rode off for a surgeon. The blood flowed fast, but the attempt to stop it
with my sash was useless, from the size of the wound.
Sir John assented to being removed in a blanket to the
rear. In raising him for that purpose, his sword, hanging
on the wounded side, touched his arm, and became entangled between his legs. I perceived the inconvenience,
and was in the act of unbuckling it from his waist, when
he said in his usual tone and manner, and in a very distinct voice,
” It is as well as it is; I. had rather it should go
out of the field with me."
r. Mr. Z. Mudge had three other sons besides the subject of this article. The eldest, Zachariah, was a surgeon and apothecary at Taunton, and afterwards surgeon on
, an eminent mechanist, was born
at Exeter, September 1715. He was the second son of
the rev. Zachariah Mudge, prebendary of Exeter, and
vicar of St. Andrew’s, Plymouth, who died April 3, 1769,
and was honoured by Dr. Johnson with a very elegant
testimony of respect, which was inserted in the London
Chronicle at that time, and may be seen in Mr. Boswell’s
Life of the doctor. Mr. Z. Mudge had three other sons
besides the subject of this article. The eldest, Zachariah,
was a surgeon and apothecary at Taunton, and afterwards
surgeon on board an East Indiaman; he died in 1753 on
ship-board, in the river Canton in China. The third, the
rev. Richard Mudge, was officiating minister of a chapel
of ease at Birmingham, and had a small living presented
to him by the earl of Aylesford. He was not only greatly
distinguished by his learning, but by his genius for music.
He excelled as a composer for the harpsichord; and as a
performer on that instrument is said to have been highly
complimented by Handel himself. The fourth son, John,
was originally a surgeon and apothecary at Plymouth, but
during the latter part of his life practised as a physician
with great success. Like his brother Thomas, he had great
mechanical talents; and, until prevented by the enlargement of his practice, he found time to prosecute improvements in rectifying telescopes. In 1777 the Royal Society
adjudged to him Sir Godfrey Copley’s gold medal, for a
paper which he presented to that learned body on the best
methods of grinding the specula of reflecting telescopes.
He also considerably improved the inhaler, an ingenious
contrivance for the curing of coughs, by inhaling steam.
In 1777 he published “A Dissertation on the inoculated
Small-pox;
” which was followed, some years after, by
“A Treatise on the Catarrhous Cough and Vis Vitae.
” He
died in
, a surgeon of eminence, was born at Ghent in Flanders in 1649;
, a surgeon of eminence, was born at
Ghent in Flanders in 1649; and, being made anatomist
and reader in surgery in that city, was much distinguished
by his lectures as well as practice, and wrote upon several
subjects with learning and judgment. He died at Ghent,
about eighty years old, in 1730. He paid various visits
to London, Paris, and Leyden, where he formed an acquaintance with the most eminent surgeons of his time,
profited by their discoveries, and was himself the inventor
of some instruments. His first publication was a “System
of Osteology,
” in Flemish, which he afterwards translated
into French, and which was often reprinted. In 1708, he
published his “Description Anatomique des Parties de la
Femme qui servent a la Generation,
” together with Licetus’ treatise on monsters, and a description of one born
at Ghent in 1703. In 1710, he printed his “Anatomic
Chirurgicale, ou description exacte des Parties du Corps
humain, avec des remarques miles aux Chirurgiens dans
la pratique de leur art,
” in French; and in 1718, reprinted it in Flemish. It was regarded as a valuable work,
and was republished after his death, in France, Italy, and
Germany. Palfin also translated the treatise of Anthony
Petit on “Diseases of the Eyes,
” into Flemish, adding
several other tracts on the same subject.
, a French wit, the son of a surgeon of Toulouse, where he was born in 1638, wrote several
, a French wit, the son of
a surgeon of Toulouse, where he was born in 1638, wrote
several Latin poems, which were reckoned good, but applied himself chiefly to the poetry of his native country.
Having been three times honoured with the laurel at the
academy of the Floral games, he wrote a tragedy called
Gela, which was acted, in 1687, with applause, in consequence of which he published it, with a dedication to the
first prince of the blood. He wrote also “Le sacrifice
d' Abraham;
” and ^ Joseph vendu par ses Freres,“two singular subjects for tragedies; but received with favour. He
produced besides a tragedy called
” La Mort de Neron,“concerning which an anecdote is related, which nearly
coincides with one which is current here, as having happened to our dramatic poet Fletcher. He wrote usually
at public-houses, and one day left behind him a paper,
containing his plan for that tragedy; in which, after various marks and abbreviations, he had written at large,
” Ici le roi sera tu6“Here the king is to be killed.
The tavern-keeper, conceiving that he had found the seeds
of a plot, gave information to the magistrate. The poet
was accordingly taken up; but on seeing his paper, which
he had missed, in the hands of the person who had seized
him, exclaimed eagerly,
” Ah! there it is; the very scene
which I had planned for the death of Nero." With this clue,
his innocence was easily made out, and he was discharged.
Pechantre died at Paris in 1709, being then seventy-one;
he had exercised the profession of physic for some time,
till he quitted it for the more arduous task of cultivating
the drama.
y on this enlargement of his fortune, he fell into a fever by his free way of living; and, employing a surgeon to let him blood, the man unluckily pricked an artery,
His invention was fruitful, and his drawing bold and
free. He understood landscape-painting, and performed
it to perfection. He was particularly a great master in.
perspective. In designing his landscapes, he had a manner peculiar to himself. He always carried a long book
about with him, like a music-book, which, when he had a
mind to draw, he opened; and, looking through it, made
the lower corner of the middle of the book his point of
sight: by which, when he had formed his view, he directed his perspective, and finished his picture. His hand
was ready, his strokes bold; and, in his etching, short.
He etched several things himself, generally on oval silver
plates for his friends; who, being most of them as hearty
lovers of the bottle as himself, put glasses over them, and
made lids of them for their tobacco-boxes. He drew several of the grand seignors’ heads for sir Paul Rycaut’s
“History of the Turks,
” which were engraved by Mr. Elder.
In the latter part of his life, he applied himself to modelling in wax in basso-relievo; in which manner he did
abundance of things with good success. He often said, he
wished he had thought of it sooner, for that sort of work
suited better with his genius than any; and had he lived
longer, he would have arrived to great perfection in it.
Some time before his death another estate fell to him, by
the decease of his mother; when, giving himself new
liberty on this enlargement of his fortune, he fell into a
fever by his free way of living; and, employing a surgeon
to let him blood, the man unluckily pricked an artery,
which accident proved mortal. Piper was very fat, which
might contribute to this misfortune. He died in Aldermanbury, about 1740.
an apoplectic fit, in the forest of Chantilly. A magistrate was called in, who unfortunately ordered a surgeon immediately to open the body, which was apparently dead.
Whether the accusations of his enemies were true or
not, there were reasons which obliged him to pass over
into England at the end of 1733, and the lady followed
him. There, according to Palissot, he wrote the first volumes of “Cleveland.
” The first part of his “Pour &
Contre,
” was published this year, a journal which brought
down upon him the resentment of many authors whose
works he had censured. His faults were canvassed, and
perhaps exaggerated; all his adventures were brought
to the public view, and related, probably, not without much
misrepresentation. His works, however, having established
his reputation, procured him protectors in France. He
solicited and obtained permission to return. Returning to
Paris in the autumn of 1734, he assumed the habit of an
abbé. Palissot dates this period as the epoch in which his
literary fame commenced but it is certain, that three of
his most popular romances had been published before that
time. He now lived in tranquillity under the protection
of the prince of Conti, who gave him the title of his
almoner and secretary, with an establishment that enabled
him to pursue his studies. By the desire of chancellor
d'Aguesseau, he undertook a general history of voyages,
of which the first volume appeared in 1745. The success
of his works, the favour of the great, the subsiding of the
passions, a calm retreat, and literary leisure, seemed to
promise a serene and peaceful old age. But a dreadful
accident put an end to this tranquillity, and the fair prospect which had opened before him was closed by the hand
of death. To pass the evening of his days in peace, and
to finish in retirement three great works which he had undertaken, he had chosen and prepared an agreeable recess
at Firmin near Chantilly. On the 23d of Nov. 1763, he
was discovered by some peasants in an apoplectic fit, in
the forest of Chantilly. A magistrate was called in, who
unfortunately ordered a surgeon immediately to open the
body, which was apparently dead. A loud shriek from the
victim of this culpable precipitation, convinced the spectators of their error. The instrument was withdrawn, but
not before it had touched the vital parts. The unfortunate
abbé opened his eyes, and expired.
tinguished botanist and able physician, was born at Loughborough, Feb. 17, 1730. He first settled as a surgeon and apothecary at Leicester but having been educated
, a distinguished botanist and
able physician, was born at Loughborough, Feb. 17, 1730.
He first settled as a surgeon and apothecary at Leicester but having been educated as a Calvinistic dissenter,
the people of that town, who chanced to have different prejudices, of course gave him but little support. He struggled against pecuniary difficulties with economy, and
shielded his peace of mind against bigotry, in himself or
others, by looking “through nature, up to nature’s God.
”
His remarks and discoveries were communicated first to
the Gentleman’s Magazine, in 1750, as well as several subsequent years and he intermixed antiquarian studies with
his other pursuits. His botanical papers printed by the
royal society, on the Sleep of Plants, and the Rare Plants
of Leicestershire, procured him the honour of election into
that learned body in 1762. In 1764 he obtained a diploma of doctor of physic from Edinburgh, even without accomplishing that period of residence, then usually required,
and now indispensable and his thesis on the cinchona officinalis amply justified the indulgence of the university.
on the commander of the Guinea ship applied to the English commodore for medical assistance; but not a surgeon or surgeon’s mate in the whole fleet, except Mr. Ramsay,
In 1755, he went to London, and studied surgery and pharmacy under the auspices of Dr. Macauley; in whose family he lived for two years, much esteemed both by him and his celebrated lady. Afterwards he served in his medical capacity for several years in the royal navy, and by the humane and diligent discharge of his duties, endeared himself to the seamen, and acquired the esteem of his officers. Of his humanity there is indeed one memorable instance, which must not be omitted. Whilst he acted as surgeon of the Arundel, then commanded by captain (afterwards vice-admiral sir Charles) Middleton, a slaveship, on her passage from Africa to the West Indies, fell in with the fleet to which the Arundel belonged. An epidemical distemper, too common in such vessels, had swept away not only a great number of the unfortunate negroes, but also many of the ship’s crew, and among others the surgeon. In this distressed situation the commander of the Guinea ship applied to the English commodore for medical assistance; but not a surgeon or surgeon’s mate in the whole fleet, except Mr. Ramsay, would expose himself to the contagion of so dangerous a distemper. Prompted, however, by his own innate benevolence, and fully authorized by his no less benevolent commander, the surgeon of the Arundel, regardless of personal danger, went on board the infected ship, visited all the patients, and remained long enough to leave behind him written directions for their future treatment. In this enterprise he escaped the contagion, but in his return to his own ship, just as he had got on the deck, he fell, and broke his thigh bone, by which he was confined to his apartment for ten months, and rendered in a small degree lame through the remainder of his life.
ated, and took an active part in her defence. On this occasion, he published a letter to Mr. Sanxay, a surgeon, on whose testimony Miss Butterfield had been committed
In 1775 a remarkable incident happened, which excited
the public attention. A Miss Butterfield was accused of
poisoning Mr. Wm. Scawen, of Wooclcote lodge in Surrey.
Mr. Robertson thought her very cruelly treated, and took
an active part in her defence. On this occasion, he published a letter to Mr. Sanxay, a surgeon, on whose testimony Miss Butterfield had been committed to prison; in
which he very severely animadverts on the conduct and
evidence of that gentleman. After she had been honourably acquitted at the assizes at Croydon, he published a
second pamphlet, containing “Observations on the case
of Miss Butterfield,
” shewing the hardships she had sustained, and the necessity of prosecuting her right in a
court of justice: that is, her claim to a considerable
legacy, which Mr. Scawen had bequeathed her by a will,
executed with great formality, two or three years before
his death. The cause was accordingly tried in Doctors 1
Commons. But, though it was universally agreed, that this
unfortunate young woman had been unjustly accused, and
that Mr. Scawen had been induced, by false suggestions,
to sign another testamentary paper, in which her name
was not mentioned, yet no redress could be obtained, as
the judge observed, “that it was the business of the court
to determine the cause, according to what the testator had
done; not according to what he ought to have done.
”
carried thither, in which he had concealed his manner; and shewing it, told them that it was done by a surgeon to whom hey had judged very ill in refusing a place
After his return from Florence he fixed at Rome, where
for a long time he would sell none of his paintings but at an
extravagant price. He did not, however, like to be called
a landscape painter, his ambition being for the character of
an able history painter. He paiuted several pieces for the
churches, which are indisputable proofs of his capacity for
history: but his business was frequently interrupted by his
turn for poetic satire, which he often interspersed with songs,
and took a pleasure in reciting them. The philosopher appeared in his manner of living; and he endeavoured to shew
it also in his paintings, always conveying in them some
moral. Such was his iove of liberty, that he declined entering into the service of any prince, though often invited.
He was much of an humourist, and loved a practical joke.
When the painters of Rome had refused to receive him into
the academy of St. Luke, on a holiday, when he knew they
were to meet, and several paintings were exposed in the
diurch of that saint, he caused one of his own to be carried
thither, in which he had concealed his manner; and shewing it, told them that it was done by a surgeon to whom
hey had judged very ill in refusing a place in their academy, having the greatest need of one to set the limbs which
they daily dislocated or distorted. Another time, finding
a harpsichord on which he had sat down to play, good for
nothing, “I'll make,
” says he, “this harpsichord worth
at least 100 crowns.
” He painted on the lid a piece which
immediately fetched that money. A gentleman desirous
of having the pictures of his friends in his gallery, desired
Salvator to draw them. He did it, but made all the portraits caricatures, in which he excelled: but as he drew
himself, among the rest, in the same manner, none could
be offended.
imens of the fine arts. Having now encouragement to settle in London, he first commenced practice as a surgeon and accoucheur, during which he resided in Holborn,
, a physician of some note in his day, was of a family of Irish extraction, but born in London, Nov. 18, 1743. After a liberal education, he determined to the profession of surgery, and became a pupil at St. Thomas’s Hospital, under Mr. Thomas Baker. Being duly qualified, he went into the king’s service, in which he continued from 1760 to 1763, and was present at the siege of Belleisle, and the taking of the Havannah. By the patronage of admiral Keppel he obtained a confidential situation under the administration, and in obedience to their instructions made a voyage, in the course of which he visited Jamaica, Hispaniola, Cuba, and all the Leewardislands. On his return to England he was liberally rewarded for this service, which he had performed to the entire satisfaction of his employers. In the course of those voyages, as well as during his visits to the continent, he became an excellent French and Italian scholar, and collected many valuable specimens of the fine arts. Having now encouragement to settle in London, he first commenced practice as a surgeon and accoucheur, during which he resided in Holborn, Harley-street, Castle-street, Leicester-fields, and lastly in Savile~row. At what time he digressed so far from practice as to go to Oxford, we know not, but he was entered of St. Alban hall, where he took his degree of M. A. in May 1787, and that of bachelor of medicine in June 1788. He was desirous also of obtaining his doctor’s degree in that faculty, but this was refused, owing probably to his not keeping his regular terms. He obtained, however, a doctor’s diploma from the university of St. Andrew, in Scotland, and was admitted a licentiate of the college of physicians, and from this time his practice as a physician was considerably extensive and lucrative. He was chosen physician to the St. Mary-le-bone infirmary, and consulting physician to the queen’s Lying-in hospital, in both which stations he was distinguished for his humane attention to the poor patients, and his judicious treatment. He died of a cold, caught at a funeral, March 17, 1806.
nduct, was a native of Switzerland, but, on coming over to England, was placed by some friends under a surgeon of eminence, in which profession he became skilful.
, an anatomist, well
known in this country on account of the imposture of the
Rabbit-woman, and for various eccentricities of conduct,
was a native of Switzerland, but, on coming over to England, was placed by some friends under a surgeon of eminence, in which profession he became skilful. He, for a
time, read public lectures on anatomy, and obtained considerable reputation; which was ruined by the part he took
in the affair of Mary Tofts, as well as by many other irregularities of character. He died in 1776, after having
been for many years the subject of more curiosity and conversation than any of his contemporaries, though without
any extraordinary talents, or claims to distinction. They
who are curious to know more of his character may have
their curiosity gratified in the “Anecdotes of Hogarth
” by
Nichols.
, the historian of the Quakers, was the son of Jacob Williamson Sewell, a citizen of Amsterdam, and a surgeon, and appears to have been born therein 1650. His grandfather,
, the historian of the Quakers,
was the son of Jacob Williamson Sewell, a citizen of Amsterdam, and a surgeon, and appears to have been born
therein 1650. His grandfather, William Sewell, was an
Englishman, and had resided at Kidderminster; but being
one of the sect of the Brownists, left his native country for
the more free enjoyment of his principles in Holland,
married a Dutch woman of Utrecht, and settled there. The
parents of the subject of this article both died when he was
young, but had instructed him in the principles of the
Quakers, to which he steadily adhered during life. His
education in other respects appears to have been the fruit
of his own application; and the time he could spare from
the business to which he was apprenticed (that of a weaver)
he employed with good success in attaining a knowledge of
the Greek, Latin, English, French, and High Dutch,
languages. His natural abilities being good, his application unwearied, and his habits strictly temperate, he soon
became noticed by some of the most respectable booksellers in Holland; and the translation of works of credit,
chiefly from the Latin and English tongues, into Low Dutch,
seems to have been one of the principal sources from which
his moderate income was derived, in addition to the part
he took, at different times, in several approved periodical publications. His modest, unassuming manners gained
him the esteem of several literary men, whose productions,
there is reason to believe, were not unfrequently revised
and prepared for the press by him. His knowledge of his
native tongue was profound: his “Dictionary,
” “Grammar,
” and other treatises on it, having left very little room
for succeeding improvement: and he assisted materially in
the compilation of Halma’s French and Dutch Dictionary.
His “History of the people called Quakers,
” written first
in Low Dutch, and afterwards, by himself, in English
(dedicated to George I.) was a very laborious
undertaking, as he was scrupulously nice in the selection of his
materials, which he had been during many years engaged
in collecting. Of the English edition, for it cannot properly be called a translation, it may be truly said, that as
the production of a foreigner, who had spent only about
ten months in England, and that above forty years before,
the style is far superior to what could have been reasonably
expected. One principal object with the author was, a
desire to correct what he conceived to be gross misrepresentations in Gerard Croese’s “History of Quakerism.
”
The exact time of SewelPs death does not appear; but in,
a note of the editor’s to the third edition of his “Dictionary,
” in History of the Quakers
” appears to have
been first published in
rrelsome, dissatisfied, and irritable. In his fifteenth or sixteenth year he was bound apprentice to a surgeon in his native town, and acquired a considerable share
, a notorious political writer, was born at Biddeford in Devonshire in 1709. His father was an attorney, but having small practice and little fortune, he carried on also the business of a corn-factor. Of his children, John was the eldest, and was educated at the free-school of Exeter, then conducted by the learned Mr. Zachary Mudge. Of his progress at school, it is recorded that he had a tenacious memory, much application, some wit, and a temper quarrelsome, dissatisfied, and irritable. In his fifteenth or sixteenth year he was bound apprentice to a surgeon in his native town, and acquired a considerable share of medical knowledge. To this situation he brought the unamiable disposition of his earlier years; no one could give him the slightest offence with impunity, and almost every person avoided his acquaintance. When out of his time he set up in trade for himself, and then shewed a taste for chemistry; but having little business, removed in 1736 to Bristol.
udy of medicine, and, according to the usual practice, was bound apprentice to Mr. John Gordon, then a surgeon, and afterwards a physician of considerable eminence,
The scenery amidst which he passed his early years, and cultivated the muses, he has described, in Humphrey Clinker, with picturesque enthusiasm. He was first instructed in classical learning at the school of Dumbarton, by Mr. John Love, one of the ablest schoolmasters of that country, and to whom Mr. Chalmers has done ample justice in his life of lluddiman. While at this school, Smollett exhibited symptoms of what more or less predominated through life, a disposition to prove his superiority of understanding at the expence of those whose weaknesses and failings he thought he could turn'into ridicule with impunity. The verses which he wrote at this early age were principally satires on such of his schoolfellows as happened to displease him. He wrote also a poem to the memory of the celebrated Wallace, whose praises he found in the story-books and ballads of every cottage. From Dumbarton he was removed to Glasgow, where, after some hesitation, he determined in favour of the study of medicine, and, according to the usual practice, was bound apprentice to Mr. John Gordon, then a surgeon, and afterwards a physician of considerable eminence, whom he was unjustly accused of ridiculing under the name of Potion, in his novel of Roderic Random.
es where the vapour-bath is requisite. He enters also into a vindication of the plan of Mr. Cleland, a surgeon at Bath, for remedying the inconveniencies relating
Smollett had hitherto derived his chief support from his
pen; but after the publication of “Peregrine Pickle,
” he
appears to have had a design of resuming his medical profession, and announced himself as having obtained the degree of doctor, but from what university has not been discovered. In this character, however, he endeavoured to
establish himself at Bath, and published a tract on “The
External Use of Water.
” In this, his object was to prove,
that pure water, both for warm and cold bathing, may be
preferred to waters impregnated with minerals, except in
certain cases where the vapour-bath is requisite. He enters
also into a vindication of the plan of Mr. Cleland, a surgeon
at Bath, for remedying the inconveniencies relating to the
baths at that place. Whatever was thought of this pamphlet, he failed in his principal object. He had, indeed,
obtained considerable fame, as his own complaints, and
the contemporary journals plainly evince; but it was not of
that kind which usually leads to medical practice.
who at first concealed his name, but afterwards consented to its being made public, was Mr. Dawson, a surgeon at Suclbury in Yorkshire, and one of the most ingenious
The author of the pamphlet, referred to above, was the first who remarked the dangerous nature of these simplifications, and who attempted to estimate the error to which they had given rise. This author remarked what produced the compensation above mentioned, viz. the immense variation of the sun’s distance, which corresponds to a very small variation of the motion of the moon’s apogee. And it is but justice to acknowledge that, besides being just in. the points already mentioned, they are very ingenious, and written with much modesty and good temper. The author, who at first concealed his name, but afterwards consented to its being made public, was Mr. Dawson, a surgeon at Suclbury in Yorkshire, and one of the most ingenious mathematicians and philosophers which this country at that time possessed.
o be cut; which the king hearing, and having a great kindness for him, sent on purpose to France for a surgeon, who came and performed the operation; which, however,
He was also excellent in landscape and still-life; and there is some fruit of his painting yet to be seen, which is of the highest Italian style, for penciling, judgment, and composition. Upon the restoration of Charles II. he was made his majesty’s serjeant-painter. He became violently afflicted with the stone, and resolved to be cut; which the king hearing, and having a great kindness for him, sent on purpose to France for a surgeon, who came and performed the operation; which, however, Streater did not survive. He died in 1680, having spent his life in great esteem and reputation. His principal works were, the theatre at Oxford the chapel at Ah Souls college; some ceilings at Whitehall, now burnt the battle of the giants with the gods, at sir Robert Clayton’s; the pictures of Moses and Aaron, at St. Michael’s church in Cornhill, &c. &c.
a wen, in his forehead, had grown to an inconvenient size; and, one day, being in conversation with a surgeon, he asked him how it could be removed. The surgeon acquainted
As his years increased, knowledge attended their progress: he acquired a great proficiency in the Greek language; and his unparalleled strength of mind carried him
into a familiar association with most of the sciences, and
principally that of architecture. His stature was of the
middle size, but athletic. He possessed a robust constitution, invincible courage, and inflexible perseverance.
Of this the following fact is a proof: a wen, in his forehead, had grown to an inconvenient size; and, one day,
being in conversation with a surgeon, he asked him how it
could be removed. The surgeon acquainted him with the
length of the process; to which Mr. Stuart objected, on
account of the interruption of his pursuits, and asked
whether he could not cut it out, and then it would be only
necessary to heal the part. The surgeon replied in the
affirmative, but mentioned the very excruciating pain and
danger of such an operation. Mr. Stuart, after a minute’s
reflection, threw himself back in his chair, and said, “I
will sit stil! do it now.
” The operation was performed
with success. With such qualifications, although yet
almost in penury, he conceived the design of visiting Rome
and Athens; but the ties of filial and fraternal affection
induced him to postpone his journey, till he could insure
a certain provision for his mother, and his brother and second sister. His mother died: he was soon after enabled
to place his brother and sister in a situation that was likely
to produce them a comfortable support; and then, with a
very scanty pittance in his pocket, he set out on foot for
Rome; and thus he performed the greatest part of his
journey travelling through Holland, France, &c. and
stopping through necessity at Paris, and several other
places in his way, where, by his ingenuity as an artist, he
procured some moderate supplies, towards prosecuting the
rest of his journey. When arrived at Rome, he soon
formed an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Nicholas Revett,
an eminent painter and architect. From this gentleman
Mr. Stuart first caught his ideas of that science, in which
(quitting the profession of a painter) he afterward made
such a conspicuous figure. During his residence at Rome,
he studied architecture and fortification; and in 1748 they
jointly circulated “Proposals for publishing an authentic
description of Athens, &c.
” For that purpose, they quitted
Rome in March The Antiquities of Athens measured and delineated, by James Stuart, F. R. S. and S.A. and Nicholas
Revett, painters and architects.
” This work is a very valuable acquisition to the lovers of antiquities and the fine
arts, and is a proper companion to the noble descriptions
of Palmyra and Balhec, by Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Wood,
by whom the two artists were early encouraged in the prosecution of a design so worthy of the most distinguished
patronage. To this work, and the long walk which the
author performed to compose it, he has been indebted for
the name of the Athenian Stuart, universally decreed to
him by the learned of this country.
Benedictus and Vesalius had given some account of the same art before him, and Ambrose Pare mentions a surgeon who practised it much and successfully. Charles Bernard,
, professor of medicine and anatomy in the university of Bologna, was born in that city in 1546, and died there Nov.
7, 1599, in the fifty-third year of his age. There is little
recorded of his life; his fame depends on his having practised the art of restoring lost parts of the body by insition,
particularly the nose, which has been a topic of ridicule
ever since it was mentioned by Butler in his Hudibras^
“So learned Taliacotius from, &c.
” Addison has also a
humorous paper on the same subject in the Tatler (No. 260), and Dr. Grey some remarks in his notes on Hudibras. Taliacotius, however, was not the inventor of this
art, for he allows that Alexander Benedictus and Vesalius
had given some account of the same art before him, and
Ambrose Pare mentions a surgeon who practised it much
and successfully. Charles Bernard, serjeant-surgeon to
queen Anne, asserts, that though those who have not examined the history may be sceptics, there are incontestable
proofs that this art was actually practised with dexterity
and success. Other writers have doubted whether Taliacotius did more than write on the theory, but there seems
no foundation for depriving him of the honours of success
in practice also. Our readers may, indeed, satisfy themselves as to the practicability of the art, as far as the nose
is concerned, by perusing a very recent treatise, “An
account of two successful operations for restoring a lost
Nose, from the integuments of the forehead, in the cases
of two officers of his majesty’s army,
” by J. C. Carpue,
surgeon, 1815, 4to. The lips and ears were the other
parts which Taiiacotius professed to restore; and his writings on the subject are, 1. “Epistola ad Hieronymum Merculiarem de naribus, multo ante abscissis> reficiendis,
”
Francf. De Curtorum Chirurgia per insitionem libri duo/ 7 Venice, 1597, fol. and reprinted at
Francfort, 1598, 8vo, under the title
” Chirurgia nova de
narium, aurium, labiorumque defectu, per insitionem cutis ex humero, arte hactenus omnibus ignota, sarciendo."
The magistrates of Bologna had such a high opinion of
Taliacotius’s success, that they erected a statue of him,
holding a nose in his hand.
e family had possessed them for many generations. This gentleman will be long regretted, not only as a surgeon, but as a man extremely useful in various undertakings
, a learned surgeon, and
senior surgeon of the county-infirmary, Gloucester, was
descended from the ancient family of Trye, of Hardwick,
co. Gloucester, and was born Aug. 21, 1757. He married
Mary, elder daughter of the rev. Samuel Lysons, rector of
Rodmarton, by whom he left three sons and five daughters; and was consequently related to the two celebrated
antiquaries. In 1797, he succeeded to a considerable
estate; consisting of the manor, advowson, and chief landed
property in the parish of Leckhampton, near Cheltenham,
under the will of his cousin, Henry Norwood, esq whose
family had possessed them for many generations. This
gentleman will be long regretted, not only as a surgeon,
but as a man extremely useful in various undertakings of
national concern, such as rail-roads, canals, &c. in the
planning of which he evinced great genius. As a surgeon,
his practice was extensive, and his success great. Many
arduous and difficult operations he performed, which ended
in perfect cures, after others of eminence had shrunk from
the undertakings. His operations were conceived and executed from a perfect knowledge of the structure of the human body, attained by a well-grounded education, and
constant intense study through life. He was educated under the eminent surgeon, Mr. Russell, of Worcester; then
studied under John Hunter; was house-surgeon“to the
Westminster Infirmary, and afterwards assistant to the very
ingenious and scientific Sheldon. He was for some time
house-surgeon and apothecary to the infirmary in Gloucester. Shortly after he quitted that situation, he was
elected surgeon to that charity, an office which he filled for
near thirty years, discharging its duties with great credit
to himself; while those placed under his care were sensible
of the advantages they possessed from his assiduous attention to their sufferings. He trained up several surgeons,
many of whom are exercising the medical profession in
various parts of the kingdom, with credit to their preceptor, honour to themselves, and utility to mankind. As an
author he was well known to the literary part of the medical world, and published: 1.
” Remarks on Morbid Retentions of Urine,“1784. 2.
” Review of Jesse Foot’s
Observations on the Venereal Disease,“(being an answer to his attack on John Hunter,) 1787. 3.
” An Essay on
the swelling of the lower Extremities incident to Lying-in
Women,“1792. 4.
” Illustrations of some of the Injuries
to which the lower Limbs are exposed,“(with plates),
1802. 5.
” Essay on some of the Stages of the Operation
of Cutting for the Stone,“1811. 6.
” An Essay on Aneurisms," in Latin, was far advanced in the press several
years ago, but was laid aside, and not quite completed at
the author’s death. He has left several interesting cases,
and other observations, in manuscript; and many of his
papers of a miscellaneous nature, connected with the profession, are to be found in various periodical publications.
He was a steady friend and promoter of the Vaccine inoculation.
the name, or probably the sign of a house in which he lived on the emperor’s canal. He was at first a surgeon’s apprentice, but having a perfect acquaintance with
, an eminent physician, was the son of Peter Dirx, a rich merchant of Amsterdam, where he was born Oct. 11, 1593. He rarely went by his father’s name, having rather whimsically changed it to de Tulp, the name, or probably the sign of a house in which he lived on the emperor’s canal. He was at first a surgeon’s apprentice, but having a perfect acquaintance with the Latin language, and a turn for science, he determined to extend his studies to every thing connected with medicine, to which he accordingly applied at the university of Leyden. After taking his doctor’s degree he returned to Amsterdam, and carried on practice for fifty-two years with the greatest reputation. But his fame was not confined to his profession only. Possessing an accurate knowledge and much judgment in the political history of his country, he was raised to civic honours; in 1622 he was elected of the council of Amsterdam, and six times served the office of sheriff. In 1652 he was made burgomaster, an office which he filled also in 1656, 1660, and 1671. In 1672, when Louis XIV. attacked Holland, Tulp had a principal hand in exciting that spirit of resistance among his fellow-citizens by which Amsterdam was saved. Nor were they unmindful of his services, for when he died in 1674, aged eighty, a medal was struck to his memory.
, near Pontoise. His first pursuits were various, having attained reputation as an organist, then as a surgeon, and afterwards as secretary to M. Fagon, chief physician
, a distinguished botanist, was
born May 26, 1669, at Vigny, near Pontoise. His first
pursuits were various, having attained reputation as an organist, then as a surgeon, and afterwards as secretary to M.
Fagon, chief physician to Louis XIV. Fagon appears to
have given his talents the right direction, by placing him in
the office of director of the royal garden, which he enriched
with curious plants. Vaillant became afterwards professor
and sub-demonstrator of plants in the abovementioned garden, keeper of the king’s cabinet of drugs, and a member
of the academy of sciences. He died of an asthma, May
26, 1722, leaving a widow, but no children. His works
are some excellent remarks on M. de Tournefort’s “Institutiones Rei herbariae
” an essay on the structure of
flowers, and the use of their various parts, Leyden, 1728,
4to, but rather too florid for philosophical narration “Botanicon Parisiense,
” with plates, published by Boerhaave,
Leyden, Botanicon Parisiense,
” to which is prefixed a
Latin letter by Dr. Sherard, giving an account of this transaction.
, an ingenious English lady, was the daughter of a surgeon and physician in South Wales, where she was born in
, an ingenious English lady, was the daughter of a surgeon and physician in South Wales, where she was born in 1706. Her father, Zachariah Williams, during his residence in Wales, imagined that he had discovered, by a kind of intuitive penetration, what had escaped the rest of mankind. He fancied that he had been fortunate enough to ascertain the longitude by magnetism, and that the variations of the needle were equal, at equal distances, east and west. The idea fired his imagination; and, prompted by ambition, and the hopes of splendid recompence, he determined to leave his business and habitation for the metropolis. Miss Williams accompanied him, and they arrived in London about 1730; but the bright views which had allured him from his profession soon vanished. The rewards which he had promised himself ended in disappointment; and the ill success of his schemes may be inferred from the only recompence which his journey and imagined discovery procured. Hg was admitted a pensioner at the Charter-house. When Miss Williams first resided in London, she devoted no inconsiderable portion of her time to its various amusements. She visited every object that merited the inspection of a polished and laudably-inquisitive mind, or could attract the attention of a stranger. At a later period of life she spoke familiarly of these scenes, of which the impression was never erased, though they must, however, have soon lost their allurements. Mr. Williams did not long continue a member of the Charter-house. A dispute with the masters obliged him to remove from this asylum of age and poverty. In 1749 he published in 4to A true Narrative," &c. of the treatment he had met with. He was now exposed to severe trials, and every succeeding day increased the gloominess of his prospects. In 1740 Miss Williams lost her sight by a cataract, which prevented her, in a great measure, from assisting his distresses, and alleviating his sorrows. She still, however, felt her passion for literature equally predominant. She continued the same attention to the neatness of her dress; and, what is more extraordinaryj continued still the exercise of her needle, a branch of female accomplishment in which she had before displayed great excellence. During the lowness of her fortune she worked for herself with nearly as much dexterity and readiness as if she had not suffered a loss so irreparable. Her powers of conversation retained their former vigour. Her mind did not sink under these calamities; and the natural activity of her disposition animated her to uncommon exertions: