John Forbes (physician) facts for kids
Sir John Forbes (born December 17, 1787 – died November 13, 1861) was a very important Scottish doctor. He was famous for translating a key French medical book. This book, De L'Auscultation Mediate, was written by René Laennec, who invented the stethoscope. A stethoscope is a tool doctors use to listen to sounds inside your body. Sir John Forbes also served as a doctor for Queen Victoria from 1841 until 1861.
Contents
Sir John Forbes was born on December 17, 1787. His birthplace was Cuttlebrae, a small place near Cullen in North-East Scotland. His older brother, Alexander, moved to Mexico. Alexander wrote the first English book about the history of California.
John Forbes wanted to become a surgeon in the Royal Navy. So, he went to Edinburgh to study medicine. He passed his exams in February 1806. In 1807, he started working as a temporary assistant surgeon. He spent most of his time at sea, helping sick and injured sailors. He became a full surgeon on January 27, 1809.
Becoming a Doctor and Moving On
After working as a navy surgeon until 1816, Forbes decided to study more. He went back to medical school in Edinburgh when he was 29 years old. He worked very hard. In August 1817, he earned his medical degree (MD).
In September 1817, Forbes moved to Penzance. Here, he learned a lot about the new stethoscope. He studied the teachings of René Laennec, the inventor. Forbes translated Laennec's important book, De L'Auscultation Médiate, into English. He published four different versions between 1821 and 1834.
On May 19, 1820, Forbes married Eliza Mary Burgh. They got married in Great Torrington, Devon. Forbes also wrote articles for the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. He was the secretary of this society. In 1829, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists. In 1822, Forbes and his wife moved to Chichester. Their only child, Alexander Clark Forbes, was born there in 1824.
Medical Review and Royal Doctor
In 1836, Forbes and John Conolly started a new medical magazine. It was called the British and Foreign Medical Review. They both worked as editors. This magazine was read widely in Europe and America. It helped to share new medical ideas and improve the reputation of British medicine.
On October 15, 1840, John Forbes left his job at Chichester Infirmary. He moved to London to start a new medical practice. This was a very important step in his career. His friend, James Clark, helped him. James Clark was already a doctor for the young Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria had become queen in 1837.
On February 15, 1841, Forbes was chosen to be a doctor for Prince Albert and the royal family. This was a high point in his career. He received more honors after this. In 1844, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. In 1845, he received an honorary fellowship from a society of doctors in Vienna.
Later Life and Ideas
In 1852, Oxford University gave him an honorary degree. In 1853, Queen Victoria made him a knight. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name.
In 1846, Forbes wrote an article in his medical journal. Some people thought this article supported homeopathy, a different type of medicine. This caused problems with other doctors in London. It also led to his magazine stopping publication in 1847.
In 1857, Forbes published his final important book. It was called 'Of Nature and Art on the Cure of Disease'. This book talked about his belief in the body's natural healing powers. He thought that medicine should combine science with art. His book was well-received in many places.
After May 1860, Sir John Forbes's health began to get worse. He needed to use a wheelchair. He retired and went to live with his son, Alexander Clark Forbes, in Whitchurch-on-Thames. Sir John Forbes died there on November 13, 1861.
In 1853, Forbes wrote a book called Memorandums made in Ireland in the autumn of 1852. In this book, he wrote about his support for religious tolerance in Ireland.
Images for kids
-
John Forbes, drawing by John Partridge
