J Med Biogr
· 2026 Feb · PMID 39676417
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We describe a basic 'cross-over' trial undertaken by Sir Nicholas Gilbourne of Kent, England, in or before 1631. This was used to test the effectiveness of 'weapon salve', an ointment claimed to cure 'sympathetically' (i...We describe a basic 'cross-over' trial undertaken by Sir Nicholas Gilbourne of Kent, England, in or before 1631. This was used to test the effectiveness of 'weapon salve', an ointment claimed to cure 'sympathetically' (i.e. remotely) by application to the weapon that inflicted an injury. Gilbourne reports very basic outcomes but these represent key stages of a modern cross-over trial: no treatment, treatment, no treatment, treatment. We discuss the value of such historical vignettes - even a magical one - for medical students in two respects: understanding research methodology and learning about consultation strategies. Gilbourne's conclusion is clearly fanciful but the basic principles behind his experiment are sound. Historical examples like this can inspire medical students to think critically about research methods and treatment strategies.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39636069
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Andrew Duncan Senior and John Roberton were medical figures who wrote about Medical Police, the forerunner of Public Health, at the turn of the 18th century in Edinburgh. Duncan was an establishment figure, already a Pro...Andrew Duncan Senior and John Roberton were medical figures who wrote about Medical Police, the forerunner of Public Health, at the turn of the 18th century in Edinburgh. Duncan was an establishment figure, already a Professor at Edinburgh University Medical School when he began a series of lectures on the legal context of medicine, the first of its kind in the UK. Roberton was a less conventional person whose medical qualifications were dubious but who wrote a textbook on Medial Police, the first in the English language. Both were influenced by the German Johann Frank, but developed very different models of Medical Police. Duncan's form depended on education and reflected social attitudes in post-enlightenment Scotland while Roberton was a committed miasmatist and championed an interventional, sanitarian approach. This approach was imaginative, employing an army of medical officers to enforce the policy funded by extra taxes, but this proved too interventional for 19th century Scotland, Roberton left Edinburgh and went to London and never again published on the topic of Medical Police or lectured on the topic. By contrast, Duncan's influence continued through the Chair of Medical Police and Medical Jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh that he initiated and championed.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39574333
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In 1836, an article was published in which the terms (cortical substance) and (medullary substance) were introduced for the first time with reference to the adrenal glands. The author was indicated as 'Dr Nagel', witho...In 1836, an article was published in which the terms (cortical substance) and (medullary substance) were introduced for the first time with reference to the adrenal glands. The author was indicated as 'Dr Nagel', without any further specification. Modern scientific literature often identifies the author's name as 'N. Nagel', without citing any primary source. Here, Nagel is positively identified as Moritz Nagel (1808-1871), a student of the German physiologist and anatomist Johannes Peter Müller (1801-1858), who graduated in Medicine at the University of Berlin in 1834. The 1836 article represented the German version of Nagel's Latin dissertation. Nagel later left Müller to devote himself to obstetrics and gynaecology. Although current literature attributes to Nagel the merit for introducing the terms 'cortical' and 'medullary', based on the testimony of Nagel himself and that of Jakob Henle (1809-1885), I conclude that Nagel described and illustrated results previously anticipated by Müller in 1832. Yet, considering that Nagel's description was the first in print, that he published following his own work carried out under Müller's supervision and apparently with Müller's blessing, I believe it is fair to conclude that the credit for the discovery should be justifiably attributed jointly to Müller and Nagel.
Zubritskiy A, Balnyte I, Fricke TA
… +1 more, Konstantinov IE
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39469988
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Vera Mikhailovna Danchakova (1877-1950), also written in English as Danchakoff and in German as Dantschakoff, was the first woman to graduate with a PhD in Russia. She was a person of many interests and a strong passion...Vera Mikhailovna Danchakova (1877-1950), also written in English as Danchakoff and in German as Dantschakoff, was the first woman to graduate with a PhD in Russia. She was a person of many interests and a strong passion for teaching and social justice that may have interfered with her pioneering stem cell research and cell biology, which was far ahead of its time. Danchakova significantly contributed to the unitarian theory of haematopoiesis along with its founder Alexander A. Maximow. She studied the origin of blood cells, the differentiation of tissues and organs in the process of embryonic development of animals, the formation of germ cells and the effect of hormones on the development of organisms. She discovered the role of stem cells in the laying of new tissues, the proof of the extragonadal origin of primary germ cells in birds and the development of methods for transplanting tissues into live embryos. She has been named 'the mother of stem cells' for her investigations of progenitors of cells.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39434551
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Albert Sharman was a Glasgow-born and based gynaecologist who pioneered research into infertility and the diagnosis of pregnancy using new techniques of investigation and treatment, many of his own design. His Fertility...Albert Sharman was a Glasgow-born and based gynaecologist who pioneered research into infertility and the diagnosis of pregnancy using new techniques of investigation and treatment, many of his own design. His Fertility Clinic, opened in 1931, was the first in Britain, and became a model for those that followed. Working at Glasgow's Royal Samaritan Hospital for Women, he published widely in the medical press, especially the and the , and he authored and co-edited several books, some aimed at a medical audience while others sought to explain complex issues surrounding puberty, fertility and the menopause to the general public.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39429026
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Idris Bitlisi was an historian and statesman of Kurdish and Iranian descent in the Ottoman Empire. This article introduces the influence of Bitlisi work on the historiography in the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Bitli...Idris Bitlisi was an historian and statesman of Kurdish and Iranian descent in the Ottoman Empire. This article introduces the influence of Bitlisi work on the historiography in the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Bitlisi was commissioned to write the history of the Ottoman family from the reign of Osman (1310 AD) to Bayazid II (1502 AD) which was entitled (Eight Heavens) and was written in Persian. This era is considered the Golden Period in Ottoman historiography. By creating this work, Bitlisi transferred the methods of Iranian writing of history to the Anatolian regions. In all his works, the Persian language and literature and the crystallization of Iranian culture and civilization can be seen. Bitlisi's writings, especially , can be seen as a more explicit statement of the political and cultural situation of the Ottoman sultans and their interest in history.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39397545
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Professionalism and medical ethics, while similar, are often viewed in different contexts. An historical and social science analysis reveals that professionalism is a complex skill that can be developed over time. The ke...Professionalism and medical ethics, while similar, are often viewed in different contexts. An historical and social science analysis reveals that professionalism is a complex skill that can be developed over time. The key components of professionalism, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, include accountability, altruism, compassion, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility. Throughout history, physicians have been concerned with medical ethics and professionalism. In the Golden Age of Islam, principles such as excellence, honour, integrity, accountability, and duty were important in shaping the professional behavior of physicians. , an ancient work, by Ishāq bin Ali al-Ruhawi focuses on ethical guidelines and teachings related to medical ethics in the Islamic civilization. Many of the ethical issues in this book are of foremost importance as components of professionalism. However while the examples of medical ethics guidelines that pre-existed such as the Hippocratic Oath, are not mentioned. As one of the first statutes of medical ethics in Islamic civilization, Ruhawi is a model for many doctors in the Golden Age of Islam, and over the years his principles have greatly influenced the professional view of physicians.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39370897
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Judson Chesterman (1903-1987) was a surgeon working in Sheffield, United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. Born in Bath, Somerset, he attended Bristol Medical School before completing junior doctor positions around Englan...Judson Chesterman (1903-1987) was a surgeon working in Sheffield, United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. Born in Bath, Somerset, he attended Bristol Medical School before completing junior doctor positions around England. He developed his skills in thoracic surgery during a Fellowship with Evarts Graham (1883-1957) at Barnes Hospital, St Louis, Missouri and by the mid-1950s was also performing a large number of closed cardiac procedures. In 1955, he performed the first mitral valve replacement in the world, using a prosthesis of his own design, but the patient only survived for around 18 hours. Recognising the limitations of off-pump surgery, he visited the University of Minneapolis before building his own bypass machine and used it in two patients, the first in February 1957, one of the earliest outside the United States of America to do so. In retirement he established an osteoarchaeology laboratory and made additional contributions to that field.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39344405
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Chaim Sheba was one of Israel's most influential medical figures. An internist by training, Sheba was among the founding fathers of the Israeli military medical system and took part in shaping its unique local model. Bet...Chaim Sheba was one of Israel's most influential medical figures. An internist by training, Sheba was among the founding fathers of the Israeli military medical system and took part in shaping its unique local model. Between 1950 and 1952, he was the Health Ministry's Director General, and soon after was appointed Head of Tel-Hashomer Hospital. In addition, Sheba played an important part in establishing Barzilai Hospital, in Israel's southern region, and was also one of the chief founders of Tel-Aviv University's School of Medicine. Alongside his work as a doctor and hospital manager and his many public obligations and activities, Sheba conducted research on the genetics of different Jewish ethnic communities who emigrated to the nascent State of Israel. In this article, we focus on Sheba's biography and explore how his vision and relentless activity shaped Israel's health system. While Sheba's achievements are our focal point, we also discuss his professional disappointments and unfulfilled visions.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39340320
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Bonté Elgood, née Amos, was one of the early women doctors who qualified from the progressive London School of Medicine for Women, established in 1874. She chose to practice in Egypt which was then under British administ...Bonté Elgood, née Amos, was one of the early women doctors who qualified from the progressive London School of Medicine for Women, established in 1874. She chose to practice in Egypt which was then under British administration. When she arrived in 1900, Egyptian medical provision for mothers and children was rudimentary where it existed at all. For over 50 years, Bonté Elgood played an important role in setting up maternity care and child health services, first in Cairo and later in the whole country. For her work, she was awarded the OBE and CBE by the British government, and she also received decorations from the French and Egyptian governments.
Verma N, Roy S, Tewari J
… +2 more, Gupta S, Suresh T
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39311050
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Dr Kadambini Bose Ganguly, BA, Graduate of Bengal Medical College (GBMC), LRCPE, LRCSE, LRFPSG, a woman of many firsts, defied social criteria to become one of the first women to graduate in medicine in India in the nine...Dr Kadambini Bose Ganguly, BA, Graduate of Bengal Medical College (GBMC), LRCPE, LRCSE, LRFPSG, a woman of many firsts, defied social criteria to become one of the first women to graduate in medicine in India in the nineteenth century. She was also the first Indian female to pass an entrance examination to a medical school in India. Dr Ganguly went on to become the first Indian woman to graduate and practise Western medicine in India, and remains an important symbol of women's empowerment in India. She understood the struggles that women faced, supported the education of fellow female students and promoted childcare for working women. She demonstrated that a woman could perform responsibilities in both the professional and domestic domains. Dr Ganguly paved the path for the success of other women and helped achieve female representation in the delivery of healthcare. This paper examines her life and work for women's empowerment and medical education.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39311047
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Edward K. Barsky (1897-1975) was born and raised in New York City and became a surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital. During the political upheaval of the 1930s, Barsky became passionate about the cause of the Spanish Republic...Edward K. Barsky (1897-1975) was born and raised in New York City and became a surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital. During the political upheaval of the 1930s, Barsky became passionate about the cause of the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War, as the democratically elected government came under siege by insurrectionists led by General Francisco Franco. Barsky transformed his beliefs into action as a founder of the American Medical Bureau to Aid Spanish Democracy, where he led a medical mission to the Spanish frontlines from 1937 to 1939. In Spain, Barsky organized American hospitals and operated under fire, contributing to significant advances in battlefield medicine. After the fall of the Republic in 1939, Barsky returned to the United States and his career as a surgeon in New York while also dedicating himself to the cause of Spanish refugees. His political activities, however, made him a target of political persecution by the House Un-American Activities Committee, and he ultimately lost both his freedom and his medical licence. Barsky was a surgeon, scientist, humanitarian, and activist, and his life illustrates the often complicated ties between politics and the practice of medicine.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39300816
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The understanding of the immunobiology of human milk is primarily a 20th-century phenomenon, but, even with our contemporary understanding, it remains a bit of a mystery. Breastfeeding of human milk, although the most ob...The understanding of the immunobiology of human milk is primarily a 20th-century phenomenon, but, even with our contemporary understanding, it remains a bit of a mystery. Breastfeeding of human milk, although the most obvious and natural form of nutrition for human infants, has been hindered by cultural and societal norms since ancient times. Thus, not all infants have experienced the advantages this form of nutrition may offer. Although these advantages have been anecdotally suggested since ancient times, it was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the superiority of human milk was scientifically documented. The underlying immunobiological properties of human milk underpinning its observed superiority only became appreciated with advances in immunology that occurred in the mid to late 20th century. Armond S. Goldman (1930-2023) was in the vanguard of those promoting and developing an understanding of the immunobiology of human milk and its superiority in promoting the health of human infants.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39246011
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British-born Dr Edward Waldegrave Wardley (MRCSL, 1842) is an unacknowledged pioneer in the history of mental health care in Australia. Between 1857 and 1872, he assisted in the development of a policy of non-restraint a...British-born Dr Edward Waldegrave Wardley (MRCSL, 1842) is an unacknowledged pioneer in the history of mental health care in Australia. Between 1857 and 1872, he assisted in the development of a policy of non-restraint across lunatic asylums in New South Wales (NSW). He then went on to extend this approach to the treatment of NSW's criminally insane patients. In addition, he trialled experiments to intellectually engage educated psychiatric patients across the colony. A prolific writer, and sufferer of chronic depression, Dr Wardley serves as a unique example of a nineteenth-century alienist with lived experience of mental illness.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39221460
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Elinor Catherine Hamlin (1924-2020) was a world-renowned Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist who dedicated almost her entire adult working life to eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Leaving behind a comfort...Elinor Catherine Hamlin (1924-2020) was a world-renowned Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist who dedicated almost her entire adult working life to eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Leaving behind a comfortable life in Sydney and later Adelaide, she travelled with her husband Reginald Hamlin (1908-1993) to Addis Ababa in 1959, with the view to working there for three years and helping set up a midwifery school at the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital. But the couple ended up spending the rest of their lives in Ethiopia, where they revolutionised maternal healthcare services and standardised best practice measures for fistula patient care. In 1975 they jointly opened the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital - at that time the only operating specialist fistula hospital in the world - which was destined to become a global centre of excellence in obstetric fistula surgery. Today the hospital carries on Catherine Hamlin's legacy as one of Sydney's most impactful medical graduates on the world stage.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Nov · PMID 39221459
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Alice Alanna Cashin (1870-1939) was a pioneering Australian nurse whose career spanned both conflict and humanitarian service. Born to Irish immigrants in Australia, Cashin trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, befo...Alice Alanna Cashin (1870-1939) was a pioneering Australian nurse whose career spanned both conflict and humanitarian service. Born to Irish immigrants in Australia, Cashin trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, before expanding her expertise in London and joining the British Red Cross during World War I. Her service included critical roles in France and Egypt, and she was eventually promoted to 'seas-matron' on the HMHS Gloucester Castle. During a torpedo attack by a German U-Boat, Cashin displayed extraordinary bravery, overseeing the evacuation of over 399 patients and ensuring their safety before leaving on the last lifeboat. After the war, she managed a military hospital in England before returning to Australia to care for her ailing father and later her elderly uncle. Cashin's post-war years included a modest stint running a stationery shop and her retirement in Victoria Road. Her exemplary service earned her multiple accolades, including the Star Medal and the Royal Red Cross Medal, the latter being the first awarded to an Australian. She was also honoured with multiple mentions in dispatches and personal invitations to Buckingham Palace. Alice Cashin's legacy is memorialised at the Woronora Cemetery, with her medals and accolades displayed at the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney, reflecting her enduring impact on the nursing profession and her remarkable dedication to service and care.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39221455
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Arnold James Knight was born on the 17th May 1789, the youngest of three sons and seven daughters born to Alexander and Catherine Knight of Sixhills Grange, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. The Knight family were Catholics an...Arnold James Knight was born on the 17th May 1789, the youngest of three sons and seven daughters born to Alexander and Catherine Knight of Sixhills Grange, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. The Knight family were Catholics and traced their origins to the fifteenth Century. As a child, Arnold Knight was taught by the Rev. James Simkiss, a man of profound learning and scientific knowledge, and aged 10 he was sent to Baddesley Green Academy, Edgbaston, to be taught by the Franciscan Monks. At 16, he went to St Mary's College, Oscott, Birmingham to 'improve his Latin and Greek'. Oscott College today is a seminary in the Archdiocese of Birmingham but then it was also a lay school where the notable Catholic families sent their sons to be educated. At Oscott, his piety and academic ability so impressed his teachers that they hoped he would study for the priesthood but he decided to study medicine.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 May · PMID 39196281
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Dr (Professor) Bishnupada Mukhopadhaya's life story is a testament to his dedication, exceptional skill, and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of orthopaedics in India. His impact transcends his surgical skill...Dr (Professor) Bishnupada Mukhopadhaya's life story is a testament to his dedication, exceptional skill, and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of orthopaedics in India. His impact transcends his surgical skills. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, not just through the numerous awards he received but through the countless lives he touched, the institutions he built, and the unwavering spirit of continuous learning he instilled in generations of orthopaedic surgeons in India. His biography highlights the key contributions across various aspects of the field, serving as a source of motivation and encouragement for all those who strive for continuous learning in the field of orthopaedics.
J Med Biogr
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39194364
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While the contributions of Dr Marjory W. Warren to geriatric medicine are widely acknowledged, their specifics have become obscured by the passage of time. The primary objective of this narrative review of her medical pu...While the contributions of Dr Marjory W. Warren to geriatric medicine are widely acknowledged, their specifics have become obscured by the passage of time. The primary objective of this narrative review of her medical publications was to clarify the contributions she made for this field of medical practice. A total of 82 publications were found. In them Warren presented a then novel and hopeful approach to the management of older patients that included making care plans derived from comprehensive assessments, implementing team-based interventions, and ensuring continuity of care. These innovations, though, took years to implement and included what would now be considered a number of paternalistic and hierarchical aspects. Objective patient outcome data was rarely presented. While responsible for innovations that remain key to the field, some of what she proposed are either no longer possible (e.g. large in-patient units with prolonged lengths of stay) or have required modifications to align with current practice.