James Young Simpson 1811-1870

James Simpson was born on June 7, 1811, at Bathgate, Scotland, the youngest of seven sons of the village baker. His mother died when he was quite young but, because of James' obvious scholastic aptitude, his entire family agreed to do without in order to give him further education.

He endered Edinburgh University at the age of 14 and began his medical studies two years later, graduating with his M.D. in 1832. His extraordinary abilities were soon recognized, and he was made president of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh in 1835 and appointed to the chair in midwifery in 1893 at the age of 28.

He was the first in Britain to employ ether as an anesthetic and, with his associates, was the first to use chloroform as an anesthetic (1849).

In addition to his achievements in the field of anesthesia, Dr. Simpson was responsible for laying a considerable part of the foundation of gynecology and obstetrics. He invented the uterine sound and the obstetrical forceps.

His interests were many and varied. In addition to his considerable medical writings, he published three volumes on antiquarian subjects. But the subjett for thisclassic presentation is one which has generated little press and enthusiasm—that of coccygodynia. Simpson is the original describer of the condition to which he adds a discussion of various sarcococcygeal lesions.

In 1866 Simpson achieved baronetcy, the first given to a doctor practicing in Scotland. He became a member or honorary member of nearly every medical society in Europe and America.

Dr. Simpson died on May 6, 1870, at the age of 59. His family declined the offer of a grave in Westminster Abbey, but a bust was placed there on which is inscribed that to Simpson's “genius and benevolence the world owes the blessings derived from the use of chloroform for the relief of suffering”.