The Doctor's Casebook – A Process of Discovery

Abstract

Background and Aims

A bound manuscript describing the medical cases seen by a mid-eighteenth century Scottish doctor was discovered in the possession of the first author's family. The identity of the doctor is not revealed in the book. The aims were to identify the doctor and understand the significance of this book in the context of Scottish medical history of that period.

Methods

The process of investigation involved transcribing the book in order to undertake detailed study of the text, with particular focus on style of writing, location, and the names of patients and doctors mentioned. This information was then used in searches of the Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, London and the Department of Special Libraries and Archives of the University of Aberdeen as well as searches of the internet.

Results

The author was discovered to be a doctor working in Aberdeenshire in the middle of the eighteenth century. His style of writing suggests an educational purpose, with a particular interest in midwifery, and evidence of teaching midwifery techniques to students. He associated with other prominent local doctors of the time and was aware of the current thinking being put forward by his contemporaries. He had a particular association with Dr John Gregory, with whom he not only worked, but whose extended family he also treated.

Conclusions

The author of this casebook was identified as Dr David Skene, and this adds to our knowledge of this important figure of the Scottish Enlightenment who had a particular interest in midwifery and campaigned for the proper instruction of midwives

Keywords

David Skene John Gregory Casebook Scottish Enlightenment Midwifery

References

Dr John Gregory. Available at www.electricscotland.com/history/other/gregory_john.htm. (Accessed 26th February 2005).

James

Gregory

. Available at www.electricscotland.com/history/other/gregory_james1.htm (Accessed 26th February 2005).

The medical register for the year 1779 Imprint London : Printed for J. Murray, No. 32, Fleet-Street, 1779.

William

Cullen

. Available at www.electricscotland.com/history/other/cullen_william.htm (Accessed 28th Feb 2005).

Roll of Graduates held in Special Libraries and Archives, University of Aberdeen 1724 - 1764; p129.

Watson

‘Five Centuries of Medicine at the University of Aberdeen,’ in Adam, A., Smith, D., Watson, F. Eds. To the Greit Support and Advancement of Helth: Papers on the History of Medicine in Aberdeen, arising from a Conference held during the Quincentenary Year of Aberdeen University. Aberdeen, Aberdeen History of Medicine Publications, 1996; Ch 1; pp 1-11.

Diack

‘Dr David Skene and his contribution to Women's Health'in Adam A, Smith D, Watson F. Eds. To the greit support and advancement of helth: Papers on the History of Medicine in Aberdeen, arising from a Conference held during the Quincentenary Year of Aberdeen University. Aberdeen, Aberdeen History of Medicine Publications, 1996; Ch 2; pp 12–19.

Reid

‘Some account of the Family of the Gregorys at Aberdeen’ 1788, pp 9–10. Special Libraries and Archives, University of Aberdeen.