James Primrose (physician) facts for kids
James Primrose (who died in 1659) was an English doctor. He is mostly known for disagreeing with William Harvey's big idea about how blood moves around the body. Harvey believed blood circulated, but Primrose thought differently.
Early Life and Education
James Primrose was born in a town called St. Jean d'Angély in France. His father was Gilbert Primrose, a minister. James went to the University of Bordeaux and earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree there. Later, he studied at Montpellier, another university, where he became a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 1617. He also attended lectures from a famous professor named John Varandaeus.
Medical Career
In 1628, James Primrose became an M.D. at Oxford University in England. The next year, in December 1629, he was tested to join the Royal College of Physicians in London. Interestingly, William Harvey was one of the doctors who examined him! Primrose passed his exam and became a licensed physician. He then moved to Kingston-upon-Hull (often called Hull) and worked as a doctor there. He passed away in Hull in December 1659 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church.
His Writings and Ideas
James Primrose wrote many books about medicine. His first book came out in 1630. It was called Exercitationes et Animadversiones in Librum Gulielmi Harvaei de Motu Cordis et Circulatione Sanguinis. This long title basically means it was an attempt to argue against William Harvey's theory of blood circulation.
Primrose wrote more books on the same topic, continuing to disagree with Harvey. He also argued with other doctors who supported Harvey's ideas. However, Harvey himself never replied to Primrose's arguments.
In 1638, Primrose published a book called De Vulgi in Medicina Erroribus. This book was about common mistakes people made in medicine. An English doctor named Robert Wittie later translated this book into English in 1651. The famous poet Andrew Marvell even wrote poems praising this translation!
Primrose's other books included:
- Aphorismi necessarii ad doctrinam Medicinae acquirendam perutiles (1647)
- Enchiridion Medicum (1650), which was a summary of older medical ideas
- Ars Pharmaceutica (1651), about choosing and mixing medicines
- De Mulierum Morbis (1655), about women's illnesses
- De Febribus (1658), about fevers
- Partes duae de Morbis Puerorum (1659), about children's diseases
Most of Primrose's books were collections of existing medical knowledge, rather than new discoveries of his own.
Family Life
In 1640, James Primrose married Louise de Haukmont. They were married at the Walloon church in London.
