Journal of Medical Biography current issue

'I want to see the work': Maud Forrester-Brown: inspiration and paradigm

Newell, R. L M — 2008-10-24

The life and work of Abu ul-Ala Shirazi (d. 1001): a Persian pioneer in the treatment of malaria, in the style of Rhazes (865-925)

Mahmoudian, M., Rahimi-Moghaddam, P. — 2008-10-24

Abu ul-Ala Shirazi, who lived around the 10th century at the Court of Amir Azud ul-Duleh Bueieh (902–951) from the Dailami Dynasty, found that arsenic, known as sam-al-far, could cure malaria. A clinical trial dating from the 10th century demonstrates Abu ul-Ala's intelligence and careful clinical observation, in the tradition of Rhazes' practice based on experimentation and clinical trial.

Sir James Mackenzie (1853-1925) at 17 Bentinck St, London WI

Storey, G. O — 2008-10-24

The Shorts of Bury St Edmunds: Medicine, Catholicism and politics in the 17th century

Young, F. — 2008-10-24

The Short family of Bury St Edmunds produced at least eight doctors between the first half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th. Some of these practised locally and others went on to achieve fame in London or abroad. They included Richard Short (d. 1668), a medical polemicist, and Thomas Short (1635–85) who treated Charles II in his last illness and became the subject of poetry and other literature. The Shorts generated controversy through their adherence to the Roman Catholic faith at a time of persecution and suspicion. Richard Short used medical polemic as a vehicle for advancing his religious views, and his son and nephew became involved in James II's political programme to introduce religious toleration in 1688. After the Revolution the Shorts withdrew from political life but continued in their medical practice and their recusancy. This paper is the first to unravel the family relationships of the Shorts, which previously have eluded most historians.

Norman Bethune (1822-92), Canadian surgeon, as remembered by Henry Dunant (1828-1910), founder of the Red Cross Organization

Vanni, D, Ottaviani, R, Vanni, P — 2008-10-24

Maud Forrester-Brown (1885-1970): Britain's first woman orthopaedic surgeon

Kirkup, J. — 2008-10-24

In an era when few women achieved consultant surgical status, Miss Forrester-Brown proved not only a pioneer orthopaedic surgeon but also demonstrated that her sex was no bar to this physically demanding specialty. Virtually on her own she consolidated a series of clinics throughout three counties, elevating the Bath and Wessex Orthopaedic Hospital to national prominence. In addition to her books and journal communications, she maintained strong links with distinguished orthopaedic surgeons in Europe and America to keep abreast of innovations beneficial to her patients. Yet her shoulder was not always at the wheel, for she enjoyed horse-riding, ski-ing and swimming, and she was deeply interested in literature and art.

Sir John Gray (1816-75)

McIntyre, N. — 2008-10-24

Louisa Garrett Anderson (1873-1943), surgeon and suffragette

Geddes, J. F — 2008-10-24

Louisa Garrett Anderson, daughter of Britain's first woman doctor, has been largely forgotten today despite the fact that her contribution to the women's movement was as great as that of her mother. Recognized by her contemporaries as an important figure in the suffrage campaign, Anderson chose to lend her support through high-profile action, being one of the few women doctors in her generation who risked their professional as well as their personal reputation in the fight for women's rights by becoming a suffragette – in her case, even going so far as to spend a month in prison for breaking a window on a demonstration. On the outbreak of war, with only the clinical experience she had gained as outpatient surgeon in a women's hospital, Anderson established a series of women-run military hospitals where she was a Chief Surgeon. The most successful was the Endell Street Military Hospital in London, funded by the Royal Army Medical Corps and the only army hospital ever to be run and staffed entirely by women. Believing that a doctor had an obligation to take a lead in public affairs, Anderson continued campaigning for women's issues in the unlikely setting of Endell Street, ensuring that their activities remained in the public eye through constant press coverage. Anderson's achievement was that her work played no small part in expunging the stigma of the militant years in the eyes of the public and – more importantly – was largely instrumental in putting women doctors on equal terms with their male colleagues.

Heath's non-rusting steel instruments

Kirkup, J. — 2008-10-24

Samuel Wilks (1824-1911): neurologist and generalist of the Mid-Victorian Era

Eadie, M. J — 2008-10-24

Sir Samuel Wilks, sometime Physician to Guy's Hospital and President of the Royal College of Physicians (1896–99), was regarded as the leading British scientific physician of his day. His contributions to gastroenterology, cardiology and clinical science in general have been emphasized in recent times. He also recognized that syphilis affected the internal organs as well as the skin. In 1866 he realised that epileptogenesis occurred in the cerebral cortex: independently of Sir Charles Locock (1799–1875), he discovered the antiepileptic properties of potassium bromide. He provided possibly the first account of alcoholic peripheral neuritis and published an early account of probable myasthenia gravis.

Gillies needle-holder/scissors

Kirkup, J. — 2008-10-24

Sir Michael Foster MD FRS (1836-1907): the rise of the British school of physiology

Hawgood, B. J — 2008-10-24

In 1867 William Sharpey (1802–80), Professor of General Anatomy and Physiology at University College, London, appointed Michael Foster to the unique post of Teacher of Practical Physiology; in Britain the study of experimental physiology was dormant. In 1870 Foster accepted a Praelectorship in Physiology at Trinity College, Cambridge, and soon established a school of physiology. He was the first Cambridge Professor of Physiology (1883–1903). Foster, a great teacher, had a remarkable ability to attract talented students and to inspire them to undertake research. He himself took inspiration from the scientific philosophy of Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95) and of Claude Bernard (1813–78). Foster was active in the foundation of the Physiological Society (1876), and founded and edited the Journal of Physiology (1878). He was interested in the scientific training of medical students and wrote a highly lauded Text Book of Physiology (1877). Physiology became a profession in its own right and British physiologists were in the vanguard of research.

Hutchinson's disorders

James, D G. — 2008-10-24

Hubert Maitland Turnbull (1875-1955): Pathologist at the London Hospital

Storey, G. O — 2008-10-24

The start of the Peninsular Campaign 1808

Hunting, P. — 2008-10-24

Jean Langlais (1907-91): an historical case of a blind organist with stroke-induced aphasia and Braille alexia but without amusia

Fisher, C A H, Larner, A J — 2008-10-24

The subject of a prior report of a blind organist with aphasia and Braille alexia without amusia, published in French, has been identified as Jean Langlais. His artistic and medical history is presented, the latter via translation of the original 1987 paper.

Thomas Beddoes (1760-1808), founder of the Pneumatic Medical Institution

Hunting, P. — 2008-10-24

Notes and Jottings

2008-10-24

William Allen Miller (1817-70): a distinguished scientist re-discovered

Ashley-Miller, M. — 2008-10-24

Dr William Allen Miller developed an early interest in science and astronomy at secondary school. Although qualifying in medicine, he pursued a career in Chemistry at King's College, London. A particular interest in spectrum analysis led to a collaboration with Dr Huggins in examining the spectra of stars. For this work they each received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. His subsequent work at King's College, the Royal Society, the Courts of Law and for various Government enterprises earned him an outstanding scientific and advisory reputation.

Ellis, H. — 2008-10-24

Paton, A. — 2008-10-24