Presentation Copies - Simpson, Dr. James Young - Lyell, Dr. David
£4,750
Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 26 May 2010 at 12:00 BST
Description
Account of a new anaesthetic agent, as a substitute for sulphuric ether in surgery and midwifery. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox, 1847. Third thousand, 8vo, presentation copy from the author to Dr. Lyell, ink inscription on title page "Dr. Ly[e]ll with the author's compts.", unbound as issued, stab-stitched, ink mark to title; [Idem] Remarks on the superinduction of anaesthsia in natural and morbid parturition. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox, 1847. 8vo, ink presentation from author on title, unbound as issued, stab-stitched; [Idem] Answer to the religious objections advanced against the employment of anaesthetic agents in midwifery and surgery. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox, 1847. 8vo, ink presentation from author on title, unbound as issued, stab-stitched; [Idem] Anaesthetic and other therapeutic properties of chloroform. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox, 1847. 8vo, offprint from the Monthly Journal of Medical Science, ink presentation from author on title, unbound as issued, stab-stitched; Miller, Dr. James - Simpson, Dr. J.Y. [Letters between Dr. James Miller and Dr. J.Y. Simpson]. Edinburgh, 1852. 8vo, unbound as issued, stab-stitched; Simpson, Dr. J.Y. Archaeology: its past and its future work. Edinburgh: Edmonston and Douglas,1861. 8vo, presentation copy from author, original paper wrappers, lower wrapper loose; West, R.U. Account of a case in which two foetuses were united at the sternum, with only one liver and one common heart. Edinburgh, 1847. 8vo, presentation copy to Dr. Lyell from the author, blue paper wrappers, engraved plate, offprint from the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, No. 173, stab-stitched, creased; Lyell, Dr. David Birth of a double monster. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox, 1848. 8vo, offprint from Monthly Journal of Medical Science, wrappers (8)
Footnote
Note: The youngest of eight children, James Young Simpson was born in Bathgate, West Lothian in 1811. Showing obvious promise during hs early education, Simpson's family funded his advancement to college and he entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 14. He graduated in 1832 and by the age of 28 he had been appointed Chair of Midwifery at the University of Edinburgh. His contributions to obstetrics during his career were extensive. However, it was his introduction of anaestheia to childbirth that established his career as a pioneer in the field of medicine.
In 1847 Simpson discovered the properties of chloroform and its ability to induce sleep during an experiment with friends. Perfecting the dosage of the gas was key to the experiments success - too much would cause the patient to overdose, too little and the patient would remain conscious. Simpson began to use choloform during obstertric procedures, publishing his results in November in his widely acclaimed pamphlet Account of a new anaesthetic agent. Within weeks of this publication chloroform had almost completely replaced ether.
This advancement was not without opposition with some interpreting it as an act against the will of God. However, wider acceptance of Simpson's efforts came when Queen Victoria used chloroform during the delivery of Prince Leopold in 1853. Full recognition of Simpson's work followed quickly. He was the first man to be knighted by the Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon, in 1866, for services to medicine. "Victo Dolore" (pain conquered) is the inscription of his coat of arms.
Four years later Simpson passed away in his Edinburgh home, aged 58. 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.
The copies on offer are all presentation copies from Simpson to a contemporary of Scottish medicine, Dr. David Lyell. Lyell's study of medicine at the University of Edinburgh, in the years 1826-1829, would have crossed with that of Simpson. After graduation Lyell took up a post in Berkshire, returning to Scotland in 1834 to open a medical practice in Dundee.