Charles Scudamore facts for kids
Sir Charles Scudamore (born 1779, died 1849) was an English doctor. He became well-known for his writings about a condition called gout.
Life Story of Sir Charles Scudamore
Charles Scudamore was born in 1779 in Wye, Kent. He was the third son of William Scudamore, who was also a surgeon. Charles started learning medicine by working as an apprentice for his father. He then continued his studies for three years at Guy's Hospital and St. Thomas's Hospital in London.
After his studies, he worked as an apothecary (like a pharmacist who also prepared medicines) in Highgate for ten years. In 1813, he went to Edinburgh to study medicine further. He earned his M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree from Glasgow University in 1814. Soon after, he became a licensed doctor in London and started his own practice.
Every year, Dr. Scudamore spent time at Buxton, a town famous for its mineral springs. He was also the doctor for the Buxton Bath Charity. In 1820, he was chosen to be the physician to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Gotha. He also attended to the famous writer Ann Radcliffe when she passed away in 1823. In 1824, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very important group for scientists.
In 1829, Dr. Scudamore traveled to Ireland with Hugh Percy, 3rd Duke of Northumberland, who was the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. While there, the Duke knighted him in Dublin, making him "Sir Charles Scudamore." He also became an honorary member of Trinity College, Dublin. Sir Charles Scudamore passed away in his London home on August 4, 1849, due to a heart condition. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
Sir Charles Scudamore's Writings
Sir Charles Scudamore is most famous for his book, A Treatise on the Nature and Cure of Gout, published in 1818. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints, often the big toe. His book was based on studying about 100 cases of gout. He noticed that gout was less common in Glasgow, and he thought this might be because people there walked a lot, even the wealthy ones. He also wrote about how people with gout often had a more circular chest shape. This book was very popular and had several new editions. In 1839, he wrote a Letter to Dr. Chambers about gout, sharing his ideas again.
Here are some of his other important works:
- His university paper, De Arthritide, published in Glasgow in 1814.
- An Analysis of the Mineral Water of Tunbridge Wells (1816). This book looked at the special properties of the water from Tunbridge Wells.
- A Chemical and Medical Report of the Properties of the Mineral Waters of Buxton, Matlock, Tunbridge Wells, Harrogate, Bath, Cheltenham, Leamington, Malvern, and the Isle of Wight (1820). This was a big report on different mineral waters.
- The Analysis and Medical Properties of the Tepid Springs of Buxton, with Cases and Observations (1820, 1839). This focused on the warm springs at Buxton.
- An Essay on the Blood (1824). This was a study about blood.
- Observations on the Use of the Colchicum Autumnale in the Treatment of Gout (1825). This book discussed using a plant called colchicum to treat gout.
- Observations on M. Laennec's Method of Forming a Diagnosis of the Diseases of the Chest (1826). This looked at new ways to diagnose chest diseases.
- A Treatise on the Nature and Cure of Rheumatism (1827). This book was about rheumatism, which causes pain and stiffness in joints and muscles.
- Cases illustrating the Remedial Power of the Inhalation of Iodine and Conium in Tubercular Phthisis (1830, second edition 1834). This discussed treatments for a lung disease.
- A Further Examination of the Principles of the Treatment of Gout, with Observations on the Use and Abuse of Colchicum (1833). More thoughts on treating gout.
- A Medical Visit to Gräfenberg, in April and May 1843 for the Purpose of Investigating the Merits of the Water-cure Treatment (1843). This was about a trip to study water-based treatments.
- On Pulmonary Consumption (1847). This book was about lung consumption, another term for tuberculosis.
Family
In 1811, Sir Charles Scudamore married Georgiana Johnson. They did not have any children. His nephew, William E. Scudamore, became a well-known priest and writer in the Church of England.
