Memorials of the life of James Syme, professor of clinical surgery in the University of Edinburgh, etc

Preface

The oration delivered from the chair of the Harveian Society of Edinburgh, at its annual meeting in 1873, forms the nucleus of the present volume. Engaged as Mr. Syme had been, for so many years, in operations on the vessels that carry on the circulation of the blood, the narrative of his life seemed to furnish a specially appropriate theme for such an occasion. The favour with which this attempt to portray his great pro¬ fessional services was received having led to a widely expressed desire that it should he extended and pub¬ lished, these Memorials of his Life and Writings, drawn up as far as possible in his own words, and dealing mainly, though not exclusively, with the scientific aspects of his career, are now presented to the public.

Mr. Syme’s controversies are well known. It was open to the biographer to treat them in three ways : firstly, they might have been passed over with a simple allusion ; or, secondly, a condensed and epitomised ver¬ sion of them might have been given ; or, thirdly, they might have been treated as fully as the sense required, and as much as possible in his own words, and in those of his opponents. All these methods lay open to vm

PREFACE.

certain objections. To pass over bis controversies without clue attention would not have done justice to his memory, for in these he showed his remarkable powers of argument and expression, while they always involved a principle ; an epitome, on the other hand, is liable to bias on the part of the writer, or what is as bad, a charge of bias from one side or the other, however studiously this may have been guarded against. It was therefore thought better to reproduce them in as condensed a form as possible, and to adhere as far as could be done to his own expressions and the replies of his adversaries. In such a course, it was impossible to avoid the mention of names, both of the

* v

living and the dead ; but it is hoped that the way in which this has been done will give offence to none ; certainly none has been intended. With the exception of documents connected with his controversies, he has unfortunately left little material for the formation of a memoir ; but all that was available has been heartily contributed by his son, Mr. James Syme of Mi 11 bank.

Dr. Sharpey of London has kindly put at our disposal the letters which he possessed, the result of a friendly correspondence, which seems never to have been broken till Mr. Syme’s fatal illness.

Sir E. Christison, his old classfellow and firm friend, has assisted with reminiscences of his early years ; while to Drs. John Brown and Peddie we are indebted for much valuable information regarding that important

PREFACE.

IX period of liis life when engaged at his Surgical Hospital at Minto House. Mr. Annandale, the Eev. Dr. Grant, Mr. Pillans Scarth, and others, have likewise supplied important information. To each and all of these the thanks of the Author are now sincerely offered.

32 Charlotte Street,

Chapter I. Page

Early Years and Schoolboy Days . . . . 1

Chapter II

Student Life — Early Attachment to Chemistry — Chemical So¬ ciety — Discover/ of Solvent Power of Coal-Tar Naphtha over Caoutchouc — Visit to Paris — Teaching of Anatomy —

Visit to Germany — First important Surgical Operation : Amputation at Hip-Joint ..... 7

Chapter III

Teaching of Anatomy and Surgery — Misunderstanding with Liston — Joins Dr. Mackintosh — Visit to Dublin — Im¬ portant Contributions to Surgery, on the Treatment of Wounds, and on Inflammation — Successful Excision of Lower Jaw — Application to the Managers of Eoyal In- Infinnary to be appointed a Surgeon there — Kefusal of Managers, etc. ....••

Chapter IV

Crisis of his Life, the Establishment of Minto House Hospital : its Success — Beports of Operations, etc ., performed there Method of Clinical Teaching— Fust Marriage, etc. etc.

Xll

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Y.

' PAGE

Progress of Surgical Hospital — Candidate for Professorship of Sur¬ gery to Koyal College of Surgeons— Defeat— Appointment to Chair of Clinical Surgery in University of Edinburgh— Epitome of Work done at Surgical Hospital — Continuation of it as a “ Maison de Sante.” . . . .53

Chapter VI

Clinical Duties at Royal Infirmary — Rivalry — Liston leaves for London — Letters to Dr. Sharpey — Appointed Surgeon in Ordinary to the Queen for Scotland — Reconciliation with Liston — Correspondence — Legacy from his Uncle— Opera¬ tion for Fungus of Testis — Liston’s Visit to Edinburgh —

His Sudden Death — Offer of Chair — Acceptance — Public Dinner — Discomforts in London — Resolution to leave — Returns to Edinburgh, etc. ..... 65

Chapter VII

Election to Presidentship of Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edin¬ burgh — Published “Contributions to the Pathology and Practice of Surgery” — Also “ On Stricture of the Urethra, and Fistula in Perineo ” — Letters from Patients operated on — Reclamation to the Imperial Academy of Medicine at Paris, etc. ....... 100

Chapter VIII

Continues President of Medico-Chirurgical Society — Observa¬ tions on the Treatment of “ Spermatocele ” — Graduation Address for 1852 — Clinical Lecture on Removal of Upper Jaw-Bone — The Expense of promoting and Bounty in re¬ pressing the Improvements of Surgical Practice, etc. etc. 117

CONTENTS.

Xlll

Chapter IX

Publication of a Course of Clinical Lectures — Letter to Lord Palmerston on Medical Reform — Chair of Military Surgery — Operations on the larger Arteries— Made Foreign Asso¬ ciate of Academy of Surgery, Paris ; Knight of the Dannebrog ; Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, etc. etc. .

Chapter X

Chairman of Jury on Surgical Instruments at Great Interna¬ tional Exhibition of 1861 — Visits Ireland — Dinner in his Honour at Salt Hill Marine Hotel — Lecture at Conversa¬ zione of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh — Address on Surgery at British Medical Association at Leamington — Honorary Degree of M.D. of University of Dublin — Honorary Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland - — American Views of his Operation at the Ankle-Joint — Important Motion in Medical Council on Medical Educa¬ tion — Address to University Graduates, 1868 — Proposed as President of Medical Council — List of Honours conferred, etc. .......

Chapter XII

Controversies, Part I.— Estrangement with Liston — Similarity in Mind and Work of the two Surgeons — Controversy with Mr. (now Sir W.) Fergusson — Controversy with Dr. J. Argyle Robertson — -Opinions of Mr. Syme’s Conduct — Action against Mr. Lizars for certain passages in his Work on Practical Surgery — Pluggites and Anti-Pluggites, etc. etc.

PAGE

XIV

CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII. Page

Controversies, Part II. — Correspondence as Dean of Faculty witli Dr. Henderson on Homceopathy — Jury Trial, Glover v. Syme : Verdict ; Remarks by Mr. Synie ; by Lord Jus¬ tice-Clerk ; by Lancet, etc.— Trial, Mullar v. Syme : Results

_ Introduction of Ether and Chloroform — His adhesion to

Anesthetics — Acupressure — Renewed Quarrel with Sir J.

Y. Simpson — Dr. Bennett’s Letter on Presidency of Medi¬ cal Council, with Replies, etc. etc. . . • • 228

CHAPTER XIV. On the Situation of the New Royal Infirmary, commonly called

“ The Battle of the Sites ” . . . . .268

CHAPTER XY.

His Domestic Tendencies — Religious Views — Decision of Cha¬ racter — Likes and Dislikes — Taste for Botany — Death of first Wife — Letters to Dr. Sharpey — Love for Children— Marries again — Liston’s Letter on the occasion — Character of second Wife — Millbank — Hospitality there — Excursions to the Country — Powerful Memory — Friendly Letters, etc. etc. ........ 285

CHAPTER XYI.

Contribution to the British Medical Journal on the Antiseptic Method of Treatment in Surgery — His last Clinical Lecture — First Paralytic Seizure — Love for Flowers — Resignation of Professorship — Resignation of his position as Surgeon to the Infirmary — Meeting in London to organise a Testimonial — Extract from Meeting of Senatus — Extract from Meeting of Infirmary Managers — Extract from Meeting of Border Medical Association — Second Seizure — Death — Funeral — Funeral Sermon — American Courtesy . . , 299

CONTENTS.

XV

CHAPTER XVII.

Estimate of Mr. Syme as a Diagnostic Surgeon ; as an Operator ; and as a Teacher of Clinical Surgery — Quotation from Article in ‘Scotsman’ Newspaper on liis Surgical Powers and Achievements — Concluding Remarks .

PAOE

Appendix

List of his published "Works and Papers in the Medical Journals 329

CHAPTER I. Early Years and Schoolboy Days

James Syme was bom at Ho. 56 Princes Street, Edinburgh, on tbe 7tli November 1799. The original house in which he first saw the light was taken down many years ago, to enlarge the Royal Hotel ; and the present Restaurant of that building now occupies its site. He was descended from two families of wealth and good position in society. His father was John Syme, of Cartmore in Kinross-shire and Lochore in Fif'eshire, a Writer to the Signet, and representative of an old family of that name. His mother was Barbara Spottiswood, a daughter of James Spottiswood, Esq., of Dunipace in Stirlingshire. The issue of this marriage was two sons — David, the present Sheriff-substitute of Kinross-shire, and James, the subject of the present memoir, David being the senior by nearly three years.

John Syme was a somewhat peculiar man. With much acuteness and sagacity, he was obstinate to a degree. The principal attribute of his character may be said to have been perseverance— a feature which he handed down to his son James in a remarkable measure, which served him in good stead through the struggles and difficulties of life, and, as we shall afterwards see, formed a conspicuous element of his character even on his deathbed. He early entered into those speculative

B purchases of land which constituted the fashionable scheme of the day ; and as their value depended much on the nature of the minerals under the surface, it wras often either a happy hit or an unlucky one. His character was not well suited for such ventures. He was too determined to give up a project, even when it was not likely to succeed, but hoped for and trusted in success to the very last. He ultimately became a sad loser by these speculations.

During the early boyhood of James Syme, his father and family resided principally in the country, returning to Edinburgh only during the autumn and winter months, when they successively occupied a house in South St. David Street, and afterwards one in St. Andrew Square ; but they finally gave up their house in town, and retired to reside permanently in the country in 1808-9. Unlike many other boys, James’s education from the first was carefully attended to. He received his early training at the grammar school of Messrs. Eulton and 'Knight, then in George Street, and well-known teachers of the period. We have no means of knowing what place James occupied at this school ; but, judging from the position he at once took when he entered the first class of the High School, he must have made considerable progress in the hands of his former teachers.

He joined the first class of the High School of Edin¬ burgh in October 1809. This class was then taught by Mr. Gray, whose erudition and kindness to his pupils made him one of the most successful teachers that that seminary of learning has ever boasted of ; indeed, it is difficult to determine how much the success and repu-

LIFE OF JAMES SYME.

tation, which the High School of Edinburgh about that time acquired, was owing to the excellent teaching and warm-hearted nature of Mr. Gray. The classes of the High School were then much larger than now : that which James Syme entered consisted of 130 boys, hut he speedily acquired a good place in it — viz. the 25th. James Syme was never a quick or brilliant hoy. What he cared to learn, he mastered by patient study. His schoolfellows were many, hut his companions few ; and to these he attached himself with great constancy. He was considered a quiet meditative hoy, with a cer¬ tain shyness and reserve about him. He kept much by himself, and only communicated to the chosen few* the subjects of his reflections, which were generally in connection with his favourite pursuits in Chemistry. Of Mr. Syme’s classfellows at the High School there were many who afterwards became famous men, hut have now passed away. A few still remain to show the character of the companions of his early years. The Hon. Edward Horton, Lord Heaves, W. P. Dundas, Eev. Dr. Grant of Edinburgh, Dr. Willis of London, and Mr. Andrew Coventry, still survive.

Although the Syme family had removed to a per¬ manent residence in Kinross-shire, and did not come to

* These select companions of his youth continued the friends of his riper years ; for, when struggling in his profession, he never failed to acquaint them with the progress he was making, and even invited some of them to his great operations, although of quite a different profession from himself. Nor was this feel¬ ing unreciprocated on their side ; for I am assured that no set of men watched and rejoiced at his success more sincerely than his old High School companions.

town for the winter months, still the education of his sons seems to have been to Mr. John Syme a matter of paramount importance. The year, therefore, that J ames joined the High School, and probably even earlier, he had secured for them as tutor the services of Mr. Simpson, afterwards well known as the Eev. Dr. Simpson of Kirknewton. He also took a furnished house for them in York Place, at the corner of Elder Street, where they resided under the care and management of their tutor until the holidays, when they joined the family circle in Kinross-shire. ,

During his schoolboy days James Syme vras noted for being a somewhat singular boy. He had a certain shyness of manner, and a thickness of speech, which some interpreted as an impediment. He was not much given to juvenile sports or games, but preferred a walk or talk with some of his own select but limited circle of playmates, for whom he always exhibited the same steady friendship, which in some instances lasted to the end of his life. When spending his holidays in the country, he displayed the same peculiarities as he did in town. He never cared for or engaged in hunting or any country sport. Beyond taking a •walk in the fields, and mastering the characters and names of the native plants which grew around him, his time was spent in chemical experiments, and in dissecting, or rather rendering into skeletons, some of the small animals existing around him, such as frogs, lizards, mice, etc. I have referred to his peculiarity of speech, or thickness of utterance, which rendered his reading and speaking often difficult to be understood. This defect was early noticed by Mr. Gray,

LIFE OF JAMES SYME.

and ascribed by liim to natural causes ; and so long as he was with this worthy man every effort was made, both on the part of teacher and pupil, to overcome it. But the time arrived when he had to enter the rector’s class, a change which proved to him anything but agree¬ able. His defective utterance still to a certain extent remained ; but the efforts which both Mr. Gray and h had made had greatly modified it. Mr. Pillans, the rec¬ tor of the time, who afterwards became Professor of Humanity in the University of Edinburgh, considered it was assumed for the purpose of avoiding lessons, and rated him severely in consequence.

"Whether or not he ever communicated this to his friends or his immediate preceptor. Dr. Simpson, is not known. Certain it is that it had its good effect in mak¬ ing him exert all his energies to overcome it ; and by the time he left the High School for the University his perseverance had been so great and successful that the defect had by that time nearly disappeared. Sir Robert Christison states that any thickness or impediment of speech, which he may originally have had, had nearly disappeared when he entered upon his university career. How much of this he owed to his tutor cannot now be determined, but it is manifest that that excellent man in many other ways did much to influence his character for good ; his precepts and advice often soothed the asperities of his schoolboy days, and impressed him with that reverence for religion which, through life, was ever a marked feature in his character and conduct.

The life of a boy at school must necessarily be desti¬ tute of much point or incident. His early and steady devotion to Chemistry was striking. He spent all his pocket-money in chemicals and apparatus, and often invited his chosen companions to witness his chemical experiments on a Saturday afternoon or evening. These experiments are remembered as having been managed by him with great dexterity, and witnessed by them with much delight and astonishment. He spent six years at the High School, leaving it for the University in 1815, and it is hut fair to conclude that his differ¬ ences with Mr. Pillans must have been made up before he left, for no one could show more kindness to an old preceptor than Mr. Syme did to Mr. Pillans on his appointment to the University chair. An incident, however, which is remembered as a striking one at the time, is recorded of him by one of his old schoolfellows. On the occasion of the last annual examination of the school, when the boys had escaped from the several duties of the day, James Syme had gathered around him some of his chosen companions ; and whilst they were talking together over the events of the day and the session, and probably of their future prospects, to their no small astonishment, and with a dignity which they never had witnessed him display before, he dashed from their midst, with a firmness and resolve that struck them all, and took his books and threw them from him, as if he had said, “ Away with these toys ; I am now done with them ; the more serious business of life is before me, and to it I mean to address myself.” That day, and that action, are remembered as an augury of a future which was fully realised.

LIFE OF JAMES SYME.

Chapter II

Student Life — Early Attachment to Chemistry — Chemical Society— Discovery of Solvent Power of Coal-Tar Naphtha over Caoutchouc — Visit to Paris — Teaching of Anatomy — Visit to Germany — First important Surgical Operation : Amputation at Hip-Joint.

The year 1813 proved a somewhat eventful year to the Syme family, for with it came the beginnings of adver¬ sity. Mr. Syme’s speculations in land and minerals had proved unsatisfactory, hut with that perseverance which was the prominent feature of his character, he determined to go on, hoping that every new endeavour would prove successful. He was necessitated, therefore, at the beginning of this year, to sell his estate of Lochore ,* and cease to reside at Cai:tmorei He rented a house near Dunfermline called Pitreavie, an old cas¬ tellated building, with abundance of accommodation. Here the family resided till 1821, in fact till Mr. Syme’s death, which occurred in that year.

James Syme became a matriculated student of the University of Edinburgh in November 1815, and began the study of Latin (or Humanity as it has been called) under Professor Christison, the father of Sir Robert Christison. He also attended Botany three

* It is a curious fact that Lochore was recently purchased by a Limited Liability Company for nearly three times the sum that Mr. John Syme sold it for, and for the very purpose of working the coal existing everywhere on the estate.

years under Dr. Rutherford ; Natural History under Professor Jamieson ; Mathematics under Professor Wal¬ lace ; and Philosophy under Dr. Thomas Brown. With two of his professors it appears he was a favourite student — with Professor Cliristison and Dr. Thomas Brown — the former being the first of his teachers who gave him encouragement by the prediction of suc¬ cess. As he was also a favourite pupil of Dr. Thomas Brown, we naturally infer that he had shown a taste for philosophical research. This power, however, did not come out very strongly either in his character or in the style of his writing, until called into action in after life amidst the controversies in which he engaged, when it often served him happily in demolishing the arguments and reasoning of his adversaries.

We have already referred to his taste for chemical investigation, and there is every reason to believe that although he did not take the Chemistry class till 1817, he continued his chemical inquiries both in Edinburgh and at Pitreavie. Indeed, we know that his father had set aside a large room in that commodious mansion entirely for his chemical and other investigations, and he used frequently to relate the difficulties he expe¬ rienced in having his apparatus and material conveyed across the Firth, the dangers which were encountered, and the breakage which ensued.

But in 1815 James Syrne principally devoted him¬ self to Botany and Philosophy. He must have become very early attached to the former department of science, for he knew the botanical terms and the names of native and other plants thoroughly ; and I have been informed

LIFE OF JAMES SYME.

by a much older student than he was, that his knowledge of the names of plants, especially those used in medi¬ cine, was so accurate that his fellow-students used to ask him to examine them on those points before going up for their examinations. Sir R Christison has kindly furnished the following particulars of his early recollec¬ tions of Mr. Syme, and of the origin of their Chemical Society : — •

“I became,” says Sir R., “very intimate with James Syme for the first time when we were fellow-students in Chemistry at Dr. Hope’s class in 1817-18. Botany was his first study among the Sciences. He attended Dr. Rutherford’s class for the first time in 1815, and twice subsequently, so that he must have felt strongly its attractions, although there was no opportunity of studying it practically, except what was self-taught. This taste developed itself in after life in the shape of great attach¬ ment to horticulture and uncommon success in its pursuit, but he never advanced far in the cultivation of Botany as a science. Chemistry he first attended in 1816-17, and again the subse¬ quent year.

“I attended it first in 1814-15, before commencing my strictly medical studies, and I returned in 1817-18, when I met Mr. Syme as a fellow-student. In that year Dr. Hope had 493 students : during that and the six previous years, the average was 490 : and for some years later the average exceeded 500. But at this time neither in Edinburgh, nor anywhere else, I believe, in the United Kingdom, was there any opportunity for students to study Chemistry practically. It has often struck me as surprising and unaccountable that in the University, notwith¬ standing Dr. Hope’s extraordinary success and enthusiasm as a teacher, and his admirable skill in experimental illustration and inquiry, no encouragement whatever was held out to students to pursue Chemistry as a practical science. So far as I am aware, no one at this time was allowed the opportunity of practical study in the University, except the professor’s solitary assistant, Dr .

Fife, who subsequently became Professor of Chemistry at King’s College, Aberdeen ; and it was not till some years later that prac¬ tical classes for the simple operations only of Chemistry were com¬ menced, with Dr. Hope’s consent, by bis assistant Dr. Anderson.

“ In the absence of other means of practical instruction Mr. Syme and I formed a chemical society of a dozen students, who, contributing their m^ns for apparatus and materials, met once a week for the performance of such of Dr. Hope’s experimental demonstrations as our resources enabled us to attempt. My twin brother, Mr. Coventry, advocate, the late Mr. James Hogg of Newliston, Mr. Robert Mercer, W.S., and the late Dr. Alex. R. Jackson of the Bengal Medical Service, were members, but the other five have escaped my memory. At each meeting one of us was chief demonstrator, and another his assistant ; and so on through the whole membership. When the experi¬ ments were concluded, the chief demonstrator was severely catechised as to all his doings, and the rationale of them. We met first in an attic in my father’s house in Argyle Square, recently pulled down in furtherance of the city improvements, opposite the centre of the Museum of Science and Art. After¬ wards we met in a large front cellar under the shop of Mr. Deuchar in Lothian Street, who was a druggist, and subse¬ quently a lecturer on Chemistry. Explosions, inflammations, and other startling results being naturally popular with such young chemists, we had some narrow escapes from danger. On one occasion particularly, when attempting to make ether on rather a large scale, the chemical action became at once violent and uncontrollable ; inflammable gases and vapours were suddenly disengaged in great abundance, and after the atmosphere of the room was converted into a hazardous mixture of inflammable air, the whole apparatus blew up and was shivered in pieces. But the demonstrator and his assistant promptly blew out all the lights in time, and ensconced themselves, one under the table, the other in a far-away corner ; while the Chemical Society vanished like lightning by the door, which, for their further security, they closed against the process.

“I do not know,” continues Sir Robert, “ whether much

LIFE OF JAMES SYME.

additional knowledge of Chemistry was gained at these meetings. But I at least acquired a familiarity with apparatus and mani¬ pulation which proved of great service to me some years later, when I pursued the higher branches of chemical analysis in the laboratory of M. Roubiquet at Paris.”

James Syme’s early years at college must have been years of application and study. We find him at first entering into the study of Botany, both theoretically and practically, with heart and soul ; and now in 1817-18, prosecuting Chemistry with ardour and success. ISTot content with the solitary weekly meeting of the Chemical Society, he used to he constantly at work in his own lodgings, engaged in inquiries of his own, which not long afterwards terminated in a very important dis¬ covery.

At that time the products of the destructive distil¬ lation of coal had not been much inquired into : the use of gas for lighting purposes having been but recently introduced into Edinburgh. On March 5, 1818, he announced to the world, in a short communication which he sent to the editor of the Annals of Philosophy , the discovery of a new and cheap solvent for caoutchouc, distilled from coal tar. “ As coal tar,” says he, “ hears a strong resemblance to petroleum, it occurred to me that by distilling it a fluid might he procured, which, like naphtha, would have the property of dissolving caoutchouc, and that in this way I would procure a solvent, free from the objections to which the known solvents of that remarkable substance are all more or less liable.” “ After many trials, I completely succeeded, and was enabled to carry into effect several of the applications for which a fluid state of india-rubber had seemed so desirable. Thus I constructed flexible tubes of the substance itself, and rendered various textures waterproof by brushing a thin solution of it into their interstices. A silk cloak, which afforded complete protection from the heaviest rain, and could he employed as a pitcher by turning up its skirt, was an object of wonder to all who saw it. My friends talked of a patent, but being then about to commence the study of a profession with which considerations of trade, in those days, did not seem to he consistent, I sent the following letter to the editor of a scientific journal, resident in Glasgow : —

‘ Sir — I take the liberty of sending you an account of a valuable substance which may be obtained from coal tar. If you think it worthy of being made public, you will oblige me by inserting it in your Annals of Philosophy. — I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, James Syme.’ ”

This letter was transmitted in the beginning of March, and did not appear till August, although the journal was published monthly. A patent was soon afterwards taken out by Mr. Mackintosh, a manufac¬ turer in Glasgow, for the making of waterproof cloth by means of caoutchouc dissolved in coal-tar naphtha. Had Mr. Syme followed at this time the advice of his friends and taken out a patent, he might have realised a large fortune independent of his profession. Mr. Syme himself, referring in 1847 to the matter, says — “Tor my own part, I gained little credit and no profit by the discovery, except the confidence which results from successfully struggling with a difficulty, and en-

LIFE OF JAMES SAME.

couragement in endeavouring to accomplish other objects of utility.” *

What induced him to take to medicine as a pro¬ fession is not known. Probably his early taste for making skeletons of delicate animals drew him in this direction, but more likely it may he attributed to the influence and advice of his friend Liston, who was then prominently engaged as a demonstrator to Dr. Barclay. It was fortunate for Mr. Syme that Barclay was the rising star when he commenced the study of Anatomy. To this class-room he was attracted, not only by the steadily-increasing renown of Dr. Barclay as a lecturer, hut also by the charm of Liston’s presence there. He consequently joined this class for Anatomy in 1817- 18, the same year that he entered the Chemistry class. Barclay was a perfect enthusiast in Anatomy, and, like all enthusiasts, had the good fortune to inspire those around him with similar feeling. Ilis style of teaching was easy, free, and conversational — a great improvement on the dry, stiff, formal manner of the Monros. In fact the star of the Monros was already on the wane, for, in addition to his enthusiastic teaching, Barclay had in Bobert Liston, Bobert Nasmyth, George Ballingall (afterwards Sir George), and Alexander Dick¬ son, a set of assistants that were most attractive to zealous and aspiring students.