James Young Simpson 1459367 226010980 2008-07-16T12:51:28Z Demophon 1837101 {{otherpeople|James Simpson}} {{Infobox Celebrity | name = James Young Simpson | | image = Simpson.James.Y..jpg | | caption = James Young Simpson | | birth_date = [[June 7]], [[1811]] | | birth_place = [[Bathgate]], [[West Lothian]] | | death_date = {{death date and age|1870|5|6|1811|6|7}} | | death_place = Edinburgh | occupation = Doctor | | salary = |10000000000 | networth = | | website = | | footnotes = | }} '''[[Sir]] James Young Simpson''', ([[June 7]], [[1811]] born in [[Bathgate]], [[West Lothian]], died at his home in Edinburgh, [[May 6]], [[1870]]), was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] doctor and important figure in the [[history of medicine]]. James was the youngest of eight children, 6 brothers; Thomas, John, Alexander, David, George (died young), George and a sister Mary born to Mary Jarvey (also known as Jarvie) and David Simpson a baker in Bathgate. He received his initial education at the local school however because of his obvious abilities, his father and brothers (his mother died when he was 9) together paid for a College education and he entered the [[University of Edinburgh]] when he was 14 years old. He became a [[Licentiate]] in [[1830]] before graduating in [[1832]]. He was appointed [[Professor]] of [[Midwifery]] (which we would now call [[Obstetrics]]) at the University of Edinburgh and [[physician]] to [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]. Simpson's name at birth was "James Simpson", as recorded at his baptism on 30th June. It is unknown why he formally adopted the middle name "Young". One theory is that, as a very young professor, he was flaunting his youth in front of his older peers or alternatively that he was known by the affectionate nickname of "Young Simpson" and decided to incorporate it into his name. Simpson discovered the [[anaesthetic]] properties of [[chloroform]] and— against medical and religious opposition— successfully introduced it for general medical use. ==Career== [[Image:James Young Simpson - Project Gutenberg eText 13103.jpg|thumb|right|James Young Simpson]] Simpson completed his final medical examination at the age of 18 but, as he was so young, had to wait two years before he got his licence to practise medicine. It was during this period that he became a [[Freemason]], being initiated in a Lodge in his home town of Bathgate. He developed an interest in obstetrics, and at the age of 28 was appointed Chair of Midwifery at the University of Edinburgh. He improved the design of obstetric [[forceps]] and, like [[Semmelweis]], he fought against the contagion of [[puerperal sepsis]]. His most noted contribution was the introduction of [[anesthesia]] to [[childbirth]]. A [[Freethought | free thinker]] by most accounts, his intellectual interests ranged from archeology to an almost taboo subject at the time: hermaphroditism. He was a very early advocate of the use of midwives in the hospital environment. Many prominent women also consulted him for their gynaecological problems. It was his achievements and wide ranging interests that led to his town house at 52 Queen Street, Edinburgh being a gathering point for many members of society; especially intellectual free thinkers. His impish sense of humour got the better of him on at least one of these occasions when he sat a Southern U.S. slave owner next to a freed slave at the dinner table. Since this town house was fairly busy at times he preferred to keep his wife and children at their country house near Bathgate. ==Obstetric anesthesia== [[Image:JamesSimpsonStatue.jpg|thumb|right|The statue of Sir James Young Simpson, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh]] Sir [[Humphrey Davey]] used the first anesthetic in 1799, [[Laughing Gas]] ([[Nitrous Oxide]]). J.R. Lister's [[Ether]] was dismissed as an anesthetic as it irritated the lungs of the patients. For many years surgeons searched for an anesthetic and in 1847 they got one. In 1847 Simpson first discovered the properties of [[Chloroform]] during an experiment with friends in which he learnt that it could be used to put one to sleep. It was very much up to chance that Simpson survived the [[chloroform]] dosage he administered to himself. If Simpson had inhaled too much, subsequently passing away from an overdose, the world would have seen this as a dangerous substance. Whereas, if Simpson had inhaled slightly less it would not have put him to sleep. It was his willingness to explore the possibilities of the substance that established his career as a pioneer in the field of medicine. Simpson first used his anesthetic to help ease the pain during childbirth. Many opposed this practice, as it was viewed as an act against nature or the will of God. Vindication of his efforts came when [[Queen Victoria]] used chloroform during the delivery of [[Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany|Prince Leopold]] in 1853. The anesthetist was [[John Snow (physician)|John Snow]]. ==''Victo Dolore''== Full recognition was swift to follow. He was the first man to be knighted by the Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon for services to medicine. He died at the age of fifty-eight. "Victo Dolore" (pain conquered) is the inscription of his [[coat of arms]]. A spot for his burial in Westminster Abbey was offered to his family, but they declined and instead buried him closer to home in [[Warriston Cemetery]], Edinburgh. Instead a memorial bust can be found in a niche at [[Westminster Abbey|Westminster]]. On the day of his funeral a Scottish holiday was declared, including the banks and stock markets, with over 100,000 citizens lining the funeral cortege on its way to the cemetery, while over 1,700 colleagues and business leaders took part in the procession itself. ==References== * Speert H: ''Obstetric and Gynecologic Milestones'' The MacMillan Company, New York, 1958. * Simpson, Myrtle: "Simpson the Obstetrician" Victor Gollancz, London?, 1972. * Gordon, B. Laing: "Sir James Young Simpson & Chloroform 1811-1870" T. Fischer Unwin, London, 1897. *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:15462230 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15462230 |last=Baillie |first=T W |publication-date=2004 Aug |year=[[2004]] |title=Hans Christian Andersen's visit to James Young Simpson. |volume=49 |issue=3 |periodical=Scottish medical journal |pages=112-3 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:11978757 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11978757 |last=Dunn |first=P M |publication-date=2002 May |year=[[2002]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) and obstetric anaesthesia. |volume=86 |issue=3 |periodical=Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. |pages=F207-9 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:9507600 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9507600 |last=McGowan |first=S W |publication-date=1997 Dec |year=[[1997]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson Bart. 150 years on. |volume=42 |issue=6 |periodical=Scottish medical journal |pages=185-7 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:9389837 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9389837 |id = [[PMID]]:9602606 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9602606 |last=Rae |first=S M |last2=Wildsmith |first2=J A |publication-date=1997 Sep |year=[[1997]] |title=So just who was James "Young" Simpson? |volume=79 |issue=3 |periodical=British journal of anaesthesia |pages=271-3 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:9121187 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9121187 |last=Kyle |first=R A |last2=Shampo |first2=M A |publication-date=1997 Apr |year=[[1997]] |title=James Young Simpson and the introduction of chloroform anesthesia in obstetric practice. |volume=72 |issue=4 |periodical=Mayo Clin. Proc. |pages=372 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:8971309 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8971309 |last=Ball |first=C |publication-date=1996 Dec |year=[[1996]] |title=James Young Simpson, 1811-1870. |volume=24 |issue=6 |periodical=Anaesthesia and intensive care |pages=639 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:8885936 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8885936 |last=Cohen |first=J |publication-date=1996 Nov |year=[[1996]] |title=Doctor James Young Simpson, Rabbi Abraham De Sola, and Genesis Chapter 3, verse 16. |volume=88 |issue=5 |periodical=Obstetrics and gynecology |pages=895-8 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:8258804 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8258804 |last=Eustace |first=D L |publication-date=1993 Nov |year=[[1993]] |title=James Young Simpson: the controversy surrounding the presentation of his Air Tractor (1848-1849). |volume=86 |issue=11 |periodical=Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine |pages=660-3 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:6749456 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6749456 |publication-date=1982 Sep |year=[[1982]] |title=Classic articles in colonic and rectal surgery. James Young Simpson 1811-1870. |volume=25 |issue=6 |periodical=Dis. Colon Rectum |pages=611-22 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:7050008 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7050008 |last=Pinkerton |first=J H |publication-date=1982 Jun |year=[[1982]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson: Irish influences. |volume=75 |issue=6 |periodical=Irish medical journal |pages=183-7 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:7035712 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7035712 |last=Matsuki |first=A |publication-date=1981 Oct |year=[[1981]] |title=[Recent findings in the history of anesthesiology (15)--James Young Simpson] |volume=30 |issue=10 |periodical=Masui |pages=1142-6 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:6986947 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6986947 |last=Waserman |first=M |publication-date=1980 Jan 19 |year=[[1980]] |title=Sir James Y Simpson and London's "conservative and so curiously prejudiced" Dr Ramsbotham. |volume=280 |issue=6208 |periodical=British medical journal |pages=158-61 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4577696 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4577696 |last=Keys |first=T E |publication-date= |year= |title=Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870). |volume=52 |issue=4 |periodical=Anesth. Analg. |pages=562 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4567093 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4567093 |last=Secher |first=O |publication-date=1972 Nov |year=[[1972]] |title=Hans Andersen and James Young Simpson. |volume=44 |issue=11 |periodical=British journal of anaesthesia |pages=1212-6 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4911888 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4911888 |last=Gaskell |first=E |publication-date=1970 May 16 |year=[[1970]] |title=Three letters by Sir James Young Simpson. |volume=2 |issue=5706 |periodical=British medical journal |pages=414-6 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4912314 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4912314 |publication-date=1970 May 9 |year=[[1970]] |title=James Young Simpson and the conquest of pain. |volume=1 |issue=19 |periodical=Med. J. Aust. |pages=925-6 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4914462 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4914462 |last=Hill |first=B |publication-date=1970 May |year=[[1970]] |title=Towards the conquest of pain: Sir James Y. Simpson, Bt, M.D. (1811-1870). |volume=204 |issue=223 |periodical=The Practitioner |pages=724-9 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:4868187 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4868187 |last=Gunn |first=A L |publication-date=1968 Mar |year=[[1968]] |title=James Young Simpson--the complete gynaecologist. |volume=75 |issue=3 |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Commonwealth |pages=249-63 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:5341756 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5341756 |last=Kellar |first=R J |publication-date=1966 Oct |year=[[1966]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson: victo dolore. |volume=12 |issue=1 |periodical=Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh |pages=1-13 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:5341755 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5341755 |last=Kennedy |first=C |publication-date=1966 Oct |year=[[1966]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson--"the splendid ultimate triumph". |volume=12 |issue=1 |periodical=Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh |pages=14-23 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:5329917 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5329917 |last=Kennedy |first=C |publication-date=1966 Jun |year=[[1966]] |title=Sir James Young Simpson--"the splendid ultimate triumph". |volume=73 |issue=3 |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Commonwealth |pages=364-71 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:14273091 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14273091 |last=TAYLOR |first=C W |publication-date=1965 Apr |year=[[1965]] |title=LAWSON TAIT--A GRATEFUL PUPIL OF JAMES YOUNG SIMPSON. |volume=72 |issue= |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Commonwealth |pages=165-71 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:14019913 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14019913 |last=CHALMERS |first=J A |publication-date=1963 Feb |year=[[1963]] |title=James Young SIMPSON and the "suction-tractor". |volume=70 |issue= |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Empire |pages=94-100 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:14035991 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14035991 |last=MILLER |first=D |publication-date=1962 Feb |year=[[1962]] |title=Sir James Young SIMPSON. |volume=69 |issue= |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Empire |pages=142-50 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:13733828 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13733828 |last=PECK |first=P |publication-date=1961 Sep 7 |year=[[1961]] |title=Doctors afield: Sir James Y. SIMPSON. |volume=265 |issue= |periodical=N. Engl. J. Med. |pages=486-7 }} *{{Citation |id = [[PMID]]:13476274 |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13476274 |last=SPEERT |first=H |publication-date=1957 Oct |year=[[1957]] |title=Obstetrical-gynecological eponyms: James Young Simpson and his obstetric forceps. |volume=64 |issue=5 |periodical=The Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of the British Empire, he is still remembered today for the famous work he completled in his life time |pages=744-9 }} ==External links== * [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst60.html Overview of Sir James Young Simpson] * [http://www.rcsed.ac.uk/site/761/default.aspx Papers of Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870)] * [http://www.simpsonfamilytree.com Simpson Family Tree] ==See also== *[[Horace Wells]] [[Category:1811 births|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:1870 deaths|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:People from West Lothian|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:History of medicine|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:People associated with Edinburgh|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:Scottish doctors|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:Scottish inventors|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:Academics of the University of Edinburgh|Simpson, James Young]] [[Category:Anesthesiologists|Simpson]] [[Category:Knights Bachelor|Simpson, James Young]] [[de:James Young Simpson]] [[fr:James Young Simpson]] [[ru:Симпсон, Джеймс Янг]] [[sl:James Young Simpson]] [[sv:James Young Simpson]]