Doctor John Abernethy

Doctor John Abernethy

Male 1764 - 1831  (67 years)

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  • Name Doctor John Abernethy 
    Title Doctor 
    Born 3 Apr 1764  Coleman Street, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 20 Apr 1831  Enfield, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1218875683  Misc Abernathy/Abernethy
    Last Modified 5 Jun 2013 

    Father Unknown Abernethy,   b. Unknown 
    Mother Elizabeth Weir,   b. Unknown 
    Family ID F1075973552  Group Sheet

    Family Anne Threlfall,   b. Unknown 
    Last Modified 5 Jun 2013 
    Family ID F1075973554  Group Sheet

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 3 Apr 1764 - Coleman Street, London, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 20 Apr 1831 - Enfield, London, England Link to Google Earth
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  • Photos
    Dr. John Abernethy
    Dr. John Abernethy
    From Wikipedia

  • Notes 
    • From Wikipedia;

      He was a grandson of the Reverend John Abernethy. He was born in Coleman Street in the City of London on 3 April 1764, where his father was a merchant. Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, he was apprenticed in 1779 to Sir Charles Blicke (1745?1815), a surgeon at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London. He attended the anatomical lectures of Sir William Blizard (1743?1835) at the London Hospital, and was employed to assist as demonstrator; he also attended Percivall Pott's surgical lectures at St Bartholomew's Hospital, as well as the lectures of John Hunter. On Pott's resignation of the office of surgeon of St Bartholomew's, Sir Charles Blicke, who was assistant-surgeon, succeeded him, and Abernethy was elected assistant-surgeon in 1787.

      In this capacity he began to give lectures at his house in Bartholomew Close, which were so well attended that the governors of the hospital built a theatre (1790?1791), and Abernethy thus became the founder of the medical school of St Bartholomew's. He held the office of assistant-surgeon for twenty-eight years, till, in 1815, he was elected principal surgeon. He had before that time been appointed lecturer in anatomy to the Royal College of Surgeons (1814). Abernethy was not a great operator, though his name is associated with the treatment of aneurysm by ligature of the external iliac artery.

      His Surgical Observations on the Constitutional Origin and Treatment of Local Diseases (1809) ? known as "My Book", from the great frequency with which he referred his patients to it, and to page 72 of it in particular, under that name ? was one of the earliest popular works on medical science. So great was his zeal in encouraging patients to read the book that he earned the nickname "Doctor My-Book". He taught that local diseases were frequently the results of disordered states of the digestive organs, and were to be treated by purging and attention to diet. As a lecturer he was exceedingly attractive, and his success in teaching was largely attributable to the persuasiveness with which he enunciated his views. It has been said, however, that the influence he exerted on those who attended his lectures was not beneficial in this respect, that his opinions were delivered so dogmatically, and all who differed from him were disparaged and denounced so contemptuously, as to repress instead of stimulating inquiry. The celebrity he attained in his practice was due not only to his great professional skill, but also in part to his eccentricity. He was very blunt with his patients, treating them often brusquely and sometimes even rudely. He resigned his position at St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1827, and died at his residence at Enfield on the 20 April 1831.


    • Bibliography
      English anatomist, physiologist, and surgeon, born April 3, 1764, London; died April 28, 1831, Enfield.
      Biography of John Abernethy

      John Abernethy was the son of a merchant. He went to school in Wolverhampton, but in 1778 left school to go to London. In 1779, only 15 years of age, he was apprenticed to Sir Charles Blicke (1745-1815), a surgeon who was associated with St. Bartholomew's Hospital and had a large practice. Since no lectures in anatomy were held at the St. Bartholomew's at the time, he attended lectures by Dr Maclaurn and Sir William Blizard (1743-1835) at the London Hospital. He soon became their assistant, while also attending the lecture of the famous Sir John Percivall Pott (1714-1788) at St. Bartholomew's, and by John Hunter (1728-1793).

      When Pott retired he was succeeded by Blicke. In July 1787 Abernethy took over his post as assistant surgeon, and became teacher of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and surgery. Much of his importance as a teacher lies in his recognition of the importance of comparative anatomy in the study of anatomy and physiology.

      Because of lack of suitable rooms he had to give his lectures outside the hospital, in his own rooms. Because of the large number of students who flocked to his lectures, an auditorium was built for Abernethy at the hospital in 1790 and 1791. He thus became the founder of St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School. He is also credited the establishment of the excellent museum of pathological anatomy at the hospital.

      The early 1790's was a busy period for Abernethy, as he did anatomical works and conducted physiological experiments besides his work at the hospital. In 1793, the year of John Hunter's death, his first article was printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Abernethy was a devoted pupil and disciple of John Hunter whom he succeeded at St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

      In 1813 Abernethy became surgeon at Christ's Hospital, a position he held until 1828, shortly before he abandoned his practice. In 1814 he was appointed professor of anatomy and surgery at the Royal College of Surgeon, and, in 1815, after 28 years as assistant surgeon, he became Surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

      Abernethy was now at the peak of his career, running an extensive practice and still an exceptionally popular lecturer. His lectures in anatomy, physiology, surgery, and pathology were considered unequalled. They were, in fact, so popular that they were taken down by fast writers and published in the Lancet in 1826 and 1827 - whereby the publisher was sued by Abernethy. Complying with student's wishes, he published Lectures on anatomy, surgery and pathology... in 1828 and Lectures on the theory and practice of surgery in 1830. Although he was a generous man he deliberately assumed a brusque manner with his patients, assuming it would inspire their confidence.

      Abernethy was a skilled surgeon. Continuing Hunter's work on ligation, he became the first to tie successfully the external iliac artery for aneurism, and in 1798 he ligated the common carotid. Like great colleagues as William Cheselden (1688-1752) and John Hunter, however, he only operated when absolutely necessary. Over the years his reluctance to take up instruments increased, and in 1827 he laid down his post as surgen at the St. Bartholomew's, and in 1829 retird from his chair at the Royal Colle of Surgeons. He then moved to Enfield, where he owned a house, and died there on April 20, 1831, at the age of 67, after a protracted period of illness.

      His publishing covered a wide field. One of his books concerned the anatomy of the whale.

      A selection of quotations:

      «One day, for example, a lady took her daughter, evidently most tightly laced, a practice which we believe mothers now are aware of is mischievous, but scarcely to the extent known to medical men. She complained of Abernethy?s rudeness to her, as well she might; still he gave her, in a few words, a useful lesson. «Why, Madam,» said he, «do you know there are upward of thirty yards of bowels squeezed underneath that girdle of your daughter?s? Go home and cut it; let nature have fair play, and you will have no need of my advice.»
      Quoted by George Macilwain in Memoirs of John Abernethy, chapter 33.

      «Private patient?s, if they do not like me, can go elsewhere; but the poor devils in the hospital I am bound to take care of.»
      Quoted by George Macilwain in Memoirs of John Abernethy, chapter 5.

      «There is no short cut, nor «royal road,» to the attainment of medical knowledge. The path which we have to pursue is long, difficult, and unsafe. In our progress, we must frequently take up our abode with death and corruption; we must adopt loathsome diseases for our familar associates, or we shall never be thoroughly acquainted with their nature and dispositions; we must risk, nay even injure, our own health in order to be able to preserve or restore that of other.»
      Hunterian oration, 1819.

      «Pray, Mr. Abernethy, what is a cure for gout?» was the question of an indolent and luxurious citizen. «Live upon a sixpence a day - and earn it,» was the cogent reply.
      Quoted by Thomas J. Pettegrew in Medical Portrait Gallery, Volume II.

      «The hospital is the only proper College in which to rear a true disciple of Aesculapius.
      Quoted by Thomas J. Pettegrew in Biographical Memoirs.

      «Mr. Abernethy,» sais a patient, «I have something the matter, Sir, with this arm. There, oh! (making a particular motion with the limb), that, Sir, gives me great pain.» «Well what a fool you must be to do it then,» said Abernethy.
      Quoted by George Macilwain in Memoirs of John Abernethy, chapter 33.

      «Abernethy, leaving his house, kicked his foot against a paving stone where the road was under repair. He shouted to a workman (who was Irish) to take it out of the way. «And where shall I take it?» asked the Irishman. «Take it to H-ll for all I care.» «May be,» said the Irishman, «if I Take it to Heaven it will be more out of your Honor?s way.»
      Quoted by Howard Marsh in
      St. Barholomew?s Hospital Journal, 1904, 2: 89.

      To the daughter of a widowed patient: « I have witnessed your devotion and kindness to your mother. I am in need of a wife, and I think you are the very person that would suit me. My time is essentially occupied, and I have therefore no leirsure for courting.. Reflect upon this matter until Monday.»*.
      Quoted by Samuel D. Gross in Autobiography.
      *She did, and subsequently became Mrs. Abernethy

      «Various advantages result even from the publication of opinions; for though we are very liable to error in forming them, yet their promulgation, by exciting investigation, and pointing out the deficiencies of our information, cannet be otherwise than useful in the promotion of science.»
      Surgical and Physiological Works, Volume I, Preface.

      We thank Ian Elis for information submitted.
    • MEMOIRS OF ABERNETHY.

      In Abernethy there was a polarity of character, an
      individuality, a positiveness of type, which would have
      made the boy a tolerably intelligible outline of the fu-
      ture man. The evidence is imperfect; it is chiefly
      drawn from the recollections of a living few, who,
      though living, have become the men of former days;
      but still the evidence all inclines one way.

      We can quite imagine a little boy, "careless in his
      dress, not slovenly," with his hands in his pockets,
      some morning about the year 1774, standing under
      the sunny side of the wall at Wolverhampton Gram-
      mar School ;* his pockets containing, perhaps, a few
      shillings, some halfpence, and a knife with the point
      broken, a pencil, together with a tolerably accurate
      sketch of "Old Robertson's" wig ? this article, as
      shown in an accredited portraitt now lying before us,
      was one of those enormous by-gone bushes which repre-
      sented a sort of impenetrable fence round the cranium,
      as if to guard the precious material' within ? the said
      boy just finishing a story to his laughing companions,
      though no sign of fun appeared in him, save a little
      curl of the lip, and a smile which would creep out of
      the corner of his eye in spite of him. I have had the
      good fortune to find no less than three school-fellows
      of Abernethy who are still living: John Fowler, Esq.,
      of Datchet, a gentleman whom I have had the pleas-
      ure of knowing for many years, and who enjoys in hon-

      * Wolverhampton School, founded by Sir Stephen Jermyn, Alder man and Knight of the City of London, in the reign of Henry VIII., for the " Instruction of youth in morals and learning." Many distinguished men were educated at the school, as Abernethy, Mr. Tork fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Sir William Congreve, and others. The present head master is the Rev. W. White.

      The information which I gained from Mr. Fowler he
      gave me himself; he also kindly procured me a long
      letter from Mr. Wynn. The reminiscences of Mr.
      Tummins and Mr. Thackor I have obtained through
      the very courteous and kind assistance , of the Rev.
      W. White, the present distinguished head master of
      the Wolverhampton School.

      To all of these gentlemen I can not too strongly
      express my thanks for the prompt and kind manner in
      which they have replied to all the inquiries which
      have been addressed to them. The following are the
      principal facts which their letters contain, or the con-
      clusions they justify. Abernethy must have gone to
      Wolverhampton when very young probably, I should
      say certainly before 1774. He was brought by Dr.
      Robertson from London with another pupil, " his friend
      Thomas ;" and the " two Londoners" boarded with Dr.
      Robertson. When Mr. Fowler went there in 1778,
      Abernethy was high up in the school, and ultimately
      got to the head of the senior form. He must have left
      Wolverhampton certainly not later than 1778, because
      Dr. Robertson resigned the head mastership in that
      year; and we know that in the following year, 1770,
      when he was fifteen, he was apprenticed to Sir Charles
      Blicke.

      Mr. Thacker says he was very studious, clever, a
      good scholar, humorous, hut very passionate. Mr.
      Tummins, Mr. Thacker says, knew Ahernethy well.
      Abernethy used to go and dine frequently with Mr.
      Tummins's father. Mr. Tummins says Abernethy was
      a sharp boy, " a very sharp boy," and a very passion-
      ate one too. Dr. Robertson, he says, was also a very
      passionate man.

      One day Abernethy had to "do" some Greek Testa-
      ment, and it appeared that he set off very glibly, hav-
      ing a "crib," in the shape of a Greek Testament, with
      a Latin version on the other side. The old doctor, sus-
      pecting the case, discovered the crib, and the pupil
      was instantly " leveled with the earth." This for titer
      in re plan of carrying the intellect by a coup^de-main
      has, as the present head master observes, been replaced
      by more refined modes of proceeding. The more ener-
      getic plan was, however coarse and objectionable, not
      always unsuccessful in implanting a certain quantity
      of Latin and Greek. Abernethy was a very fair Latin
      scholar, and he certainly had Jiot a bad knowledge of
      Greek also.

      There are, however, many other things to be learn-
      ed besides Latin and Greek ; and it is probable that
      the more measured reliance on such violent appeals,
      which characterizes modern education, might have
      been better suited to Abernethy. To a boy who was
      naturally shy, and certainly passionate, such mechan-
      ical illustrations of his duty were likely to augment
      shyness into distrust, and to exacerbate an irritable
      temper into an excitable disposition.

      Abernethy had shown himself a clever boy, a good
      scholar ; and he was at the top of Wolverhampton
      School before he was fifteen. Sir Charles Blicke was
      quick-sighted, and would easily discover that Aber-
      nethy was a "sharp boy." All that Abernethy prob-
      ably knew of Sir Charles was that he rode about in his
      carriage, saw a good many people, and took a good
      many fees, all of which, though probably presenting
      no particular attractions for Abernethy, made a primd
      facte case, which was not repulsive. Accordingly, in
      the year 1779, being then fifteen years of age, he be-
      came bound an apprentice to Sir Charles, and proba-
      bly for about five years.


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